By Zuko Komisa
The Zimbabwean Exemption Permits have been extended by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi for an additional six months.
At the conclusion of the year, the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits were scheduled to expire.
Priorr to the announcement nearly 180 000 Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders living in South Africa were facing deportation at the end of this year if they were unable to find alternative permits that will allow them to remain in the country.
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Home Affairs stated late on Friday that the ZEP had been extended from December 31, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Siya Qoza, who is the Home Affairs spokesperson said the department had appointed the Departmental Advisory Committee led by Dr Cassius Lubisi to assess the visa applications lodged by the affected Zimbabwean nationals.
“The Minister of Home Affairs received a progress report from Dr Lubisi. The report states that the DAC has met on several occasions in order to execute its mandate, and their last meeting was held for the whole day on the 1st of September 2022.”
“The DAC recommended to the Minister that in view of the progress thus far, it will be prudent for the Minister to consider extending the period within which the affected Zimbabwean nationals will have an opportunity to apply for visas and / or waivers for a further six months.”
“The Minister has carefully considered the request and decided to extend the period by a further six months, that is, 31 December 2022 to 30 June 2023,” said Qoza.
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