South Africa – The South African government announced it would terminate the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) on 30 June 2023. The second extension gives 180 000 Zimbabweans residing in South Africa more time to apply for the available mainstream visas.
While the extension of the ZEP should provide them with more time, it does not lessen their worry or anxiety. People like Mercy Dube, a ZEP holder, are still concerned and it is a scary time for her and others.
“Not only for me but for a lot of ZEP holders because the conditions on which these permits were applied for have changed. The special conditions were given to Zimbabweans because they couldn’t qualify for the mainstream visas. Probably 5% have managed to get an education that would qualify them to get into special skills. Probably 95%, myself included, don’t qualify for the mainstream visa.”
What happens when the ZEP expires
ZEP holders have created a life here in South Africa. Many have homes and jobs in the country. Even if someone meets the requirements to apply for a mainstream visa, it doesn’t mean they will end up getting it. If ZEP expires and the holder doesn’t get a mainstream visa, they end up being an illegal immigrant in the country.
“Nothing has changed back home [Zimbabwe]. Things have gone from bad to worse since I left when I was 18 years old. Going back is like being in a country that you don’t know. Trying to live again, trying to learn. I haven’t been home for the past 14 or 15 years. I don’t want to go home anytime soon because I have a life here. I see my future here.”
SMread: SA – A blueprint for the just transition energy plan
The impact of becoming an illegal immigrant
Life of an immigrant in South Africa isn’t easy. There are many benefits that will be lost once a ZEP holder becomes an illegal immigrant. Furthermore, Dube explained how many gave up their asylum status to apply for the ZEP.
“In terms of the work and the benefits that come with being a ZEP holder. Some of us had to give asylum status in order to apply for the ZEP. There needs to be a clear indication whether those who gave up asylum status for the ZEP back in 2010, will they be able to move back into the system? We are just not so sure what will happen from here. There is a lot of uncertainty. Between now till 2023, anything can happen. Some of the people have already lost their jobs because their employers don’t recognise the directive of the Home Affairs.”
SMread: Luyanda Mathebula: A SAn student abandoned in Russia
There are no other options available
It is quite a stressful time for ZEP holders. With so much uncertainty surrounding the future, many do not know what is ahead for them. At the moment, it seems there are no other options. Either they apply for the mainstream visa and are granted it or become illegal immigrants in a country they have begun to call their own.
“There are no other options. Even for us who have been in long standing relationships with South Africans, the minister has apparently banned marriages to South Africans for ZEP holders. It looks like there is a war against Zimbabweans. When the [permit] was being renewed over and over again, it gave us hope that it might become a permanent one. For a lot of us, it is not about achieving permanent residence but more about staying in the country legally and being able to work and feed our families. So far, I don’t know anyone who has been granted a mainstream visa who are a ZEP holder. We have a group and many of them have applied at the beginning of the year and haven’t got a response back as yet.”
