South Africa has moved to steady the ground for thousands of Zimbabweans living under the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), confirming there is no immediate policy change while opening a critical consultation process that could shape their long-term future.
By Advent Shoko
The Department of Home Affairs said current ZEPs remain valid until late May 2027, pushing back against confusion sparked by recent public remarks. Authorities were clear: “categorically” there has been no policy shift, and no automatic pathway to permanent residence under the current dispensation.
At the centre of the debate is Njabulo Nzuza, whose interview triggered mixed interpretations. He maintained that ZEP holders must transition into mainstream immigration systems, stating:
“They can apply for permanent residence and so on… each and every person must apply, and then we determine if they qualify.”
That position underscores a hard truth, the ZEP was never meant to be permanent. Introduced as a temporary measure, it has been repeatedly extended following legal challenges, including rulings grounded in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, which forced government to adopt a fair and transparent decision-making process.
Now, Pretoria is taking a more consultative route. Government says ongoing public engagements will guide the final outcome. The department said:
“This process is essential to ensure that any final decision is fair, transparent, and legally sound.”
The department added that recommendations will go before Cabinet by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
For nearly 178,000 Zimbabweans, many of whom have built lives, families and businesses in South Africa, the stakes are deeply personal. The shift signals a transition from uncertainty to structured migration pathways, but also raises pressure to regularise status.
The message is firm yet measured: the future of ZEP holders will not be decided overnight, but the era of temporary protection is steadily giving way to permanent immigration solutions.
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