Almost one million Zimbabweans will be negatively affected by South Africa’s decision to discontinue the Zimbabwe Extension Permit (ZEP) scheme.
According to the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association (ZEPHA), the number of permit holders is about 160 000, but each person has an average of three to four dependents.
The majority of ZEP holders face possible deportation before the June 2023 expiration of their work permits.
Matilda Tebogo (not her real name), a 35-year-old shopkeeper, told Al Jazeera that she was stressed about what lies ahead for her and her family.
Tebogo said she has been living and working in Cape Town for more than 10 years under the ZEP scheme and has two children attending school in the neighbouring country. She said:
Everything is unclear and we don’t know what to do. My children know nothing about Zimbabwe. It will be difficult to leave.
Around 2008, thousands of Zimbabweans crossed the border into South Africa seeking better economic opportunities after the Zimbabwean economy had virtually collapsed.
South Africa then introduced the Dispensation of Zimbabwean Permit (DZP) to legalise Zimbabweans living and working in the country in 2009.
In 2014, the DZP was renamed to the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP). The name changed again three years later to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit or ZEP.
In September 2022, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs extended the permit which was due to expire on December 31, for a further six months to June 30, 2023.
More: Pindula News
It’s very difficult to live without knowing what tomorrow will be yet I have been working and living in South Africa. You can’t plan your future. I have applied for waver no out come yet. I m looking after alot of my siblings in Zimbabwe Im paying their schools and food how are they going to survive? I am praying God will hear our prayers us Zimbabweans.
Hi what message do you want to send to south africans. That may help
What is sad is that Zimbabwean nationals who are now affected by this are the ones who have done everything within the law and they are living a noble life. Those who are not affected are not even supposed to be here because they are illegal, are busy roaming our streets without any care and they do as they please. That is very sad.
Eish l feel pity for them but a law is still a law let’s comply Zim
Guys honestly speaking there are way too many foreign era in South Africa. We understand your pain, but there are just too many. Even our health system is getting affected and that is not fair. No country offers foreigners free medical attention. Let everyone who is legal and paying taxes in south africa stay, everybody else… Please go back home or somewhere else sorry not sorry
I can remember a time when Zim people offered to become south african citizens. I do not think that anyone was willing. It is time for Sim people to take up they challenge and return to there country of birth…
Good Day South African
Zim Citizens must return home, even simple jobs in South Africa are for Zim Citizen, like Takealot Company ( is Hiring 90 % of Zim / Nguni Grill 90 % of Zim / ext, ) Most of them are illegal in South Africa and when the commit Crime South African Police they can’t Trace them, we had a Zim killer at Seshego, Polokwane, who killed and rape of people.
Zim Citizens they undermine our Law, they do as they please, enough is enough.
Unfortunately they work with our SA Officials who supposed to Protect our Country.
South African Departments about by Zim Citizens, ( Health, Education, National Defence Force, SAPS, ) above all unemployment is high, Crime is Hight.
I appeal to South African State under President Ramaphosa, Minister Of Home Affaires Honourable Mr Motsoaledi including his counter Parts and Our State Courts and South African Constitution to uphold the its oath to Protect our Country at this time of the Hour.
We are tired and we can’t take it anymore with this nonsense .
Thanks
“Zimbabweans”! Are they the only foreigners residing in SA…?!
No,but zims are too many(thousands)and illegally.
How long exactly do they want to be here because they know exactly that they don’t belong to SA.they must go back start afresh the same way when they came here