01 January 2022
Shamila Ntokozo Mdlongwa
The festive season has been known to usher “good tidings” for many who would have been in dire straits but it is not so this time around for many Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa.
On the 24th of this December pressure groups launched an application to the Pretoria High Court to overturn the decision made by the South African government through the Home Affairs Minister, Aron Motsoaledi not to extend the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP), but alas, the application was dismissed on Thursday the 28th of the same month.
The pressure groups, African Amity and some ZEP visa holders sought the courts to effect reversal of the Ministry’s decision as a matter of urgency but the department argued that they had not followed the proper manual practice and the matter failed to be justified as urgent.
The problem was that many Zimbabweans thought that ZEP would automatically guarantee them a permanent stay in South Africa as they had been living and working in that country for 10 years as per statute.
Most ZEP holders have been living and working in South Africa for almost 10 years and where paying taxes in that country thus their fight against the system that have them permission to stay in the country in the first place.
ZEP Visas allow for Zimbabweans to live, trade, work, bank, access medical and educational facilities and move around South Africa freely.
The decision to deny the renewal of these special permits for many Zimbabweans, which expire at midnight of the 31st this month has left thousand of Zimbabweans in a spasm failing to access certain facilities and some banks refusing to trade with the ZEP holders and employers uncertain on issuing or renewing thier contracts.
However, in terms of Home Affairs all medical and educational facilities, companies and other institutions can only terminate thier contracts if the ZEP holders fail to produce or provide proof that they have applied for other permits or visas.
Minister Mostoaledi acknowledged that his ministry will face lawsuits but his department would defend any groups trying to go against and undermine the government decision.
The decision has come under harsh criticism from migration and human rights activists groups for its refusal to extend the ZEP for a third time.
The government has granted the holders of these permits one year to lodge applications for other permits to avoid suspension of crucial services.
These mainstream visas include, Tourist visa (pleasure travel visas), Immigration and naturalization visas (including by marriage), Student visas (for studying abroad) and Business or work visas (for working, which includes both non-immigrant and immigrant types).
Zimbabweans already living and those planning on living and working in South Africa are urged to apply for mainstream visas so as not to face inconveniences in accessing fundamental facilities.