The South African government recently granted a further 18-month extension for both the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) and the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP). Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber announced the decision to move the new expiry date to 28 May 2027. The previous deadline was 28 November 2025. This move provides legal certainty for over 178,000 permit holders who live and work in South Africa.
According to the minister’s directive, published in the Government Gazette, the extension allows for a period of public consultation. During this time, the recently reinstated Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) will deliberate on a long-term solution for the permit holders.
The directive ensures that no ZEP or LEP holder can be arrested, detained, or deported because of an expired permit. They are also permitted to travel in and out of South Africa, provided they meet all other immigration requirements.
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Mixed reactions to the decision
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has welcomed the development. The organisation sees it as a necessary step to provide legal certainty and continuity.
The HSF was central to a 2023 High Court challenge against the previous minister’s decision to terminate the ZEP programme without consultation. The foundation has called for the upcoming consultations to be transparent and inclusive. They hope this will prevent future cycles of uncertainty for permit holders.
However, the political party ActionSA has rejected the extension. The party described the move as an act of “indecision and weakness”. ActionSA’s Parliamentary Chief Whip, Lerato Ngobeni, stated that the country needs decisive leadership and firm timelines, not endless extensions.
The party is calling on Minister Schreiber to publish a time-bound transition plan. They argue that ongoing delays undermine border integrity and the rule of law. This ZEP extension continues to highlight the legal and political complexities surrounding immigration policy.
For years, many ZEP holders have been encouraged to apply for mainstream visas to secure their long-term status. However, some have faced rejections for general work visa applications due to legal ambiguities in the Immigration Regulations, adding to their uncertainty.
Image: via Certified Training.
