Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP)
The Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) is a special permit introduced by the South African government to allow Zimbabwean nationals living in South Africa to legally stay in the country for an extended period under certain conditions. The ZEP is a continuation of previous permits like the Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP) and the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP), reflecting South Africa's approach to managing the presence of Zimbabwean nationals who sought refuge or economic opportunities in South Africa, especially following political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe.
Initial Programs: The ZEP is part of a series of initiatives by the South African government to regularize the status of Zimbabwean nationals who migrated to South Africa, particularly during the economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe in the late 2000s.
Eligibility:
Validity and Duration:
Conditions:
The ZEP was available to Zimbabwean nationals who held a valid ZSP.
It allowed the holder to legally reside, work, or study in South Africa.
New applications from Zimbabweans who were not already on the ZSP were generally not accepted.
The ZEP permits were typically valid for a four-year period.
The permit did not grant the holder the right to apply for permanent residence, and it had to be renewed or extended through subsequent special permits or initiatives.
ZEP holders were permitted to work, study, or conduct business within South Africa, but they were not allowed to apply for permanent residency or sponsor family members for residency.
The permit did not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship in South Africa.
LESOTHO EXEMPTION PERMIT (ZEP)
The Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) is a special permit introduced by the South African government to regularize the status of Basotho nationals (citizens of Lesotho) living in South Africa. The LEP was part of a broader effort to manage migration and provide legal avenues for Basotho nationals living and working in South Africa, often without proper documentation.
The LEP was introduced following the Lesotho Special Permit (LSP), which was initially launched in 2016. The LSP was designed to regularize the stay of Basotho nationals in South Africa, allowing them to live, work, and study legally. The introduction of the LEP continued this effort, providing a legal framework for Basotho nationals to maintain their status in South Africa under specific conditions.
Validity and Duration:
Conditions:
Challenges and Considerations
The LEP permits were generally issued for a fixed period, often aligning with the previous permits' durations.
The permit did not automatically grant the right to apply for permanent residency in South Africa.
Holders of the LEP were allowed to live, work, and study in South Africa for the duration of the permit.
The LEP did not provide a pathway to permanent residency or South African citizenship.
The permit was strictly non-renewable under the same terms, meaning that once the permit expired, the holder might be required to leave South Africa unless further policy changes were introduced.
Uncertainty: Like the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit, the LEP created uncertainty for its holders due to its temporary nature. Basotho nationals in South Africa often faced anxiety over what would happen once the permit expired.
Legal and Social Implications: Many Basotho nationals who had been living and working in South Africa for years found themselves in a precarious position due to the lack of a clear pathway to permanent residency or citizenship.
Impact on Families: The temporary and non-renewable nature of the permit affected families, especially those with children born in South Africa or who had been living in the country for a long time.