Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) holders who applied for waivers are anxiously waiting for a response from the South African government, with just five and a half months remaining before the permits expire.
Visumuzi Sibanda, who is the leader of the African Diaspora Global Network, a migrant-rights organisation located in South Africa, claimed that the SA government has hitherto said nothing further about the extension or responded to new applications. Said Sibanda:
<blockquote>
The major news we had was in October when the court hearing to challenge the termination (launched by the Helen Suzman Foundation) was postponed to the beginning of February this year after the Minister of Home Affairs said they still need more time to prepare.
According to the Minister of Home Affairs, less than 9 000 people in total made applications for either waivers or mainstream permits.
But up to date, since people started applying in 2021, they have not received any decision whatsoever.
The Department of Home Affairs has not said anything.
</blockquote>
Sibanda said applying for new permits is challenging for ZEP holders as South Africa’s regulations state that applicants must have scarce skills to be granted permits. He said:
<blockquote>
People were told they need to apply for mainstream visas so those that qualify should stay, meaning people can apply for work visas.
Applying for a work visa ideally means one has scarce skills but according to the new rules and regulations, it doesn’t mean you must only have a scarce skill but have a permanent job and a company that has offered the permanent job.
That company must have also advertised that job and found nobody in South Africa who can fill in that particular position.
This is the main visa that people must qualify for because the general visa no longer exists in South Africa unless one has a relative visa, where you’ve been married in South Africa.
</blockquote>
Sibanda said the extension announced by the South African government was verbal and published in a gazette but was not reflected on the holders’ passports.
As a result, the ZEP holders do not have proof at hand that they are legally residing in South Africa. He said:
<blockquote>
If you are arrested the matter may be postponed for seven days so that Home Affairs can ascertain whether your permit is valid or not.
Some people are losing their jobs because employers now cannot keep them in employment when they don’t see any valid visa and because of the new laws from the Department of Labour that prohibit the employment of foreigners.
</blockquote>
He added that some banks are holding onto money belonging to ZEP holders and will not release the money, demanding that Zimbabwean nationals bring valid passports. |<a href="https://cite.org.zw/zimbabweans-in-sa-in-limbo-over-zeps-waiver-applications/"> CITE</a>

Pindula News

ZEP Holders Anxious Over South Africa's 'Silence' On Waiver Applications

The government has assured Zimbabweans that will be repatriated from South Africa in the coming months that they are free to return home and will be welcomed with open arms.
Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans are set to return home or be deported by South Africa after 30 June 2023 when their Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) visas expire.
In 2021, the South African government announced that it will be renewing critical skills visas and permits only, and not ZEPs.
In an interview with the Sunday News, Zimbabwe’s Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister, Ruth Maboyi-Ncube, said:
<blockquote>
They (Zimbabweans) must not be scared as they are returning home. We are ready to welcome them. We have already started making preparations to ensure their smooth return.
We will ensure that [those of school going age] will get into our schools as long as they can produce proof of schooling in South Africa. We will then blend them with other learners in our schools.
We are yet to meet with the relevant Ministry and discuss the finer details regarding schooling but we see no challenges.
</blockquote>
Maboyi-Ncube said the government will ensure that returnees will get identity documentation on their return. She said:
<blockquote>
Our processes have not changed. When they come, they must go straight to the registry department and get national Identity Documents and passports.
For those who do not have birth certificates, we encourage them to seek birth records from South Africa where they will have been born so that we ensure they get documents here.
</blockquote>
Regional Immigration Officer responsible for the Southern Region Joshua Chibundu said:
<blockquote>
We have documented Zimbabweans who have valid passports, then there are others who have no passports or other supporting documents.
So, what we have been doing for those who voluntarily return or self-repatriate is to establish if they are Zimbabwean or not and we do that via interviews.
If we are satisfied that indeed they are Zimbabwean we allow them back into Zimbabwe. This is what is going to happen for the returnees we are expecting too.
We have no business denying them entry if they do not have any documentation as we will now be rendering them stateless if we refuse them entry back into the country.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that out of about 170 000 ZEP holders, less than 10 000 have applied for alternative visas to regularise their stay in South Africa after the 30th of June 2023 deadline. | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/government-speaks-to-sa-returnees-have-no-fear/">Sunday News</a>

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