No policy change for ZEP holders – permits remain valid until 2027
Home Affairs clarifies status amid final consultations on Zimbabwe and Lesotho exemption permits.
The Department of Home Affairs has stated categorically that there has been no change in policy regarding the status of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders.
Current permits will remain valid until May 29 2027, following the extension granted by the Minister in June 2025.
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Holders of ZEP permits do not qualify for permanent residence permits, consistent with the conditions of their existing documentation.
The department is currently engaged in a rigorous public consultation process on the future of both the ZEP and the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) to ensure any final decision is fair, transparent and legally sound.
In November 2021, after consulting the cabinet, the department announced the decision to terminate the ZEP programme.
Following a legal challenge by the Helen Suzman Foundation, the court ordered the department to follow a process compliant with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) of 2000.
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The department remains fully committed to the court order.
These will inform a comprehensive policy position on both ZEP and LEP permits, with a detailed report and clear recommendations to be presented to cabinet by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
The Department of Home Affairs said it is committed to finding a sustainable and fair solution to the long-standing matter and has urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation that could cause unnecessary anxiety among citizens, permit holders and other stakeholders.
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