South Africa's Home Affairs clarifies ZEP holders' status amid permanent residency reports

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs DHA has clarified that Zimbabwean Exemption Permit ZEP holders and their Lesotho equivalents are not yet eligible to apply for permanent residency. This statement came after earlier media reports, stemming from comments by Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza, suggested such a possibility. The DHA confirmed on Wednesday that consultations on the future of these permits are ongoing, and there has been no change in their status or implications for holders. The department reiterated that ZEP holders do not qualify for permanent residence permits under the current conditions. The permits, which have a 17-year history, were last extended to expire in May 2027 following a 2023 court ruling that deemed their discontinuation unconstitutional. The DHA is currently engaged in consultations to ensure a "fair, transparent, and legally sound" final outcome, with a detailed report and recommendations to be presented to Cabinet by the end of the 2026-27 financial year.