Discontinuation of ZEP Scheme in South Africa to Negatively Impact Almost One Million Zimbabweans
By Staff Reporter
Almost one million Zimbabweans, including dependents, will be adversely affected by South Africa’s decision to discontinue the Zimbabwe Extension Permit (ZEP) scheme.
The Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association (ZEPHA) disclosed that the number of permit holders is about 160,000, but each person has an average of three to four dependents.
Majority of ZEP holders face possible deportation before the June 2023 expiration of their work permits.
The situation has caused a lot of anxiety among Zimbabweans living and working in South Africa, who have called on the South African government to reconsider its decision.
Matilda Tebogo (not her real name), a 35-year-old shopkeeper, expressed her worries to Al Jazeera about what lies ahead for her and her family.
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 South Africa.
Tebogo said, “Everything is unclear, and we don’t know what to do. My children know nothing about Zimbabwe. It will be difficult to leave.”
The Zimbabwean economic crisis in 2008 forced thousands of people to migrate to South Africa seeking better economic opportunities. South Africa introduced the Dispensation of Zimbabwean Permit (DZP) in 2009 to legalize Zimbabweans living and working in the country.
The DZP was renamed to the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) in 2014 and three years later to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit or ZEP.
In September 2022, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs extended the permit, which was initially set to expire on December 31, for another six months to June 30, 2023. However, the decision to discontinue the scheme has put the lives of many Zimbabweans at risk.
The ZEPHA has called on the South African government to extend the permits or find a permanent solution to the issue.
