A looming deadline is casting a long shadow over the lives of thousands of Zimbabweans living in South Africa. Friday, 29 November, marks the final day for Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders to apply for a one-year exemption, a deadline that many fear they will be unable to meet due to significant backlogs within the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This failure to meet the deadline could result in mass deportations.
The current regulations require ZEP holders to apply for this one-year exemption to maintain their legal right to reside and work in South Africa until November 2025. The ZEP Holders Association (Zepha), however, paints a grim picture, highlighting the bureaucratic inefficiencies within the DHA that are preventing many from meeting this crucial deadline. The potential for large-scale deportations is a very real and deeply concerning possibility.
Advocate Simba Chitando of Zepha has described the situation as a self-created crisis, directly addressing Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, and calling for an extension to the deadline. This echoes a similar extension granted by Schreiber's predecessor in 2023. Chitando's statement underscores the gravity of the situation: "The November 2024 deadline for the ZEP is yet another self-created crisis for the Department of Home Affairs. Many ZEP holders, due to bureaucratic constraints within the Department, will not be able to make the deadline through no fault of their own," he stated.
The challenges faced by ZEP holders extend beyond simple bureaucratic delays. Securing appointments at VFS Global offices, responsible for processing applications on behalf of the DHA, has proven incredibly difficult. This difficulty was acknowledged last week by Minister Schreiber himself, who admitted that DHA’s systems are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of applications. Chitando believes an extension is unavoidable: "I have no doubt that he will have no choice but to extend the deadline again to avoid a catastrophic failure to document ZEP holders," he added, highlighting the potential for widespread negative consequences.
The uncertainty surrounding the legal status of ZEP holders has been a long-standing issue. Approximately 178,000 ZEP holders, many of whom have lived and worked in South Africa for over 15 years, are directly affected. A previous two-year extension of the ZEP permit, expiring in November 2023, came with a condition: Zimbabwean and Lesotho exemption permit holders would not be eligible to apply for permanent residency. This decision is currently being challenged in court, with ZEP holders arguing that the Minister of Home Affairs has the authority to grant them permanent residency based on their long-term contributions to the country.
While the two-year extension offered temporary relief, it failed to address the underlying uncertainty. ZEP holders were advised to pursue alternative visas, such as general worker visas. However, securing appointments for these applications at VFS Global remains a major obstacle. Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director of Xpatweb, a consultancy assisting expatriates, confirms these ongoing challenges: "Unfortunately, it seems this deadline causes headaches for many as they struggle to secure submission dates at offices of VFS Global," she commented.
Minister Schreiber has also taken steps to improve the DHA’s efficiency and integrity. Recently, 18 DHA officials were dismissed for offences including fraud, corruption, and sexual harassment, with four others receiving written warnings. Schreiber stressed the importance of these actions in restoring public trust and ensuring fair processing of applications.
Despite these efforts, the impending deadline remains a critical concern for thousands of ZEP holders. The potential for mass deportations and continued legal uncertainty is a very real threat, intensifying the calls for an extension to prevent a humanitarian crisis and allow for a fair and orderly resolution.
