South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced an 18-month extension of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit on October 7, 2025, valid until May 28, 2027, benefiting approximately 178,000 Zimbabwean nationals who can continue living, working, and studying in the country.
The extension, also applying to Lesotho Exemption Permits, follows a Gauteng High Court ruling that blocked prior terminations and mandates public consultations to address visa backlogs and immigration challenges. While providing temporary relief amid economic contributions from holders, the decision has drawn criticism from opposition groups concerned about undocumented migration and unemployment.