Home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi has extended the Zimbabwean exemption permits, which were due to expire at the end of the year, by a further six months but has warned that there will be no further extensions.
The decision will provide Zimbabweans living in SA on the basis of such permits more time in which to apply for other types of visas or permits, a statement issued by the department of home affairs said.
The decision to extend the permit was made on the recommendation of the departmental advisory committee led by Cassius Lubisi which was appointed to assess visa applications lodged by affected Zimbabwean nationals. The committee met on Thursday.
“Another factor considered by the minister is that few Zimbabwean nationals have thus far applied for visas and/or waivers,” the statement said.
“The minister is committed to affording the affected Zimbabwean nationals another opportunity to apply for one or other visas and/or waivers provided for in the Immigration Act. The department of home affairs calls upon all the affected Zimbabwean nationals to make use of this window of opportunity and not wait for the last moment to lodge their applications as is the case now.”
The minister is facing a legal challenge against his decision to terminate the exemption permits without consulting those affected and without giving adequate notice to Zimbabweans who have lived and worked for many years in SA on the basis of the exemption permit which has been in existence in one form or another since 2009.
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