Govt extends Zimbabwean, Lesotho exemption permits
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has extended the exemption permits for Zimbabweans and Basotho by two years.
Both permits were due to expire at the end of December 2023.
In 2021, Cabinet announced it had no intention of extending the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits.
It said holders would need to migrate to mainstream permits, and those unable to do so would need to leave the country by 30 June 2023.
The Helen Suzman Foundation interdicted Home Affairs from arresting and deporting any persons with no valid ZEP permit.
The High Court Pretoria declared the termination of the ZEP unlawful and invalid on the 28th of June.
Speaking at a briefing in Pretoria on Friday, Motsoaledi said the department understands the need to prevent unjust and unequal treatment of foreign nationals in the same category.
"I have decided to grant exemptions to 54 653 Lesotho nationals for a period of two years to stay in the Republic of South Africa.
“I have decided to grant exemptions to approximately 178 000 Zimbabweans nationals for a period of two years, in terms of section 32(2) b of the Immigration Act of 2002."
