Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders in South Africa say they are living in fear and uncertainty, citing unlawful arrests, lack of recognition of valid permits and growing confusion over their legal status as the government is set to phase out the long-running exemption system.
During a Home Department public consultation webinar, affected migrants, lawyers and advocacy groups said that many ZEP holders are being detained by police and border officials, who reportedly insist that the permits are invalid unless the exemption application is accompanied by proof – despite the official extension still in force.
The ZEP program, launched to regularize Zimbabweans fleeing economic hardship, has allowed thousands of people to live and work in South Africa for more than a decade. However, since the government announced its end in 2021, beneficiaries say they are stuck in prolonged legal uncertainty, with repeated extensions failing to address practical challenges on the ground.
Immigration lawyer Nyeleti Baloyi said enforcement inconsistencies were a major concern, noting that many police officers and border officials appeared to be unaware of court rulings and Home Affairs directives relating to ZEP legality. He warned that this confusion left permit holders vulnerable to arrest and harassment.
Participants also said that changes to mainstream visa categories disadvantage many ZEP holders, particularly domestic workers, farm workers and informal traders who do not meet skilled visa requirements. Families are also affected, with some children born in South Africa becoming undocumented due to administrative and legal barriers.
Community representatives described widespread distress associated with expired permit stickers, which despite official extensions still reflect outdated dates. This has reportedly caused problems at workplaces, banks and border posts where officials often refuse to recognize extension letters.
Advocates further argued that thousands of permit holders who have lived in South Africa for more than 15 years have built families and livelihoods there, and should not be left in prolonged uncertainty until migration policy reforms continue.
The consultations highlight the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement, legal compliance and the humanitarian realities faced by long-term Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa.