The people of South Africa are eagerly anticipating the expiration of controversial Zimbabwe exemption permit which was last renewed four years back to enable Zimbabwean beneficiaries to obtain other form of permit that will allow them live and work in South Africa.
The discussion surrounding Zimbabwe Exemption Permit initiative has been a controversial one as South Africans persistently call for the cancellation of the initiative due to its effect on the well-being of South African people who barely benefitted from the over 180,000 Zimbabweans issued with the permit.
Meanwhile, we would recall that the Department of Home Affairs through Minister Aaron Motsoaledi stated previously that ZEP holders will be identified and sent back to their country if their fail to register for other forms of permit during the one year and six months “grace period” issued by the department.
However, information reaching our news desk suggest that the Department of Home Affairs is planning to extend the ZEP initiative by one year so that those who do not have appropriate permit can have the opportunity to register with the Home Affairs.
This was contained in a statement released by a South African lady known as Ayikhale on Twitter who revealed that some ZEP permit holders got a message from different financial institutions notifying them that their bank account will no longer be active after 31st December 2023, instead of June 31st 2023 which was initially proposed by Minister Motsoaledi as official date for ending Zimbabwe exemption permit.
The attachment below is a copy of text message sent to one of the ZEP beneficiaries which suggest that Ayikhale’s claims could be true.
