Home Affairs Minister Extends Zimbabwean Exemption Permits Deadline to 2025, South Africans Furious
- Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits
- The previous deadline for Zimbabweans to apply for a new one-year permit to remain in the country was 29 November
- South Africans are fuming with the minister, questioning why he prioritised foreigners over South Africans
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South Africans are not happy with Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
The minister has been criticised online following his decision to extend the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP).
The previous deadline for Zimbabweans to apply for a new one-year permit to remain in the country was Friday, 29 November.
Minister extends ZEP deadline
In the government gazette, Schreiber announced that the ZEP was extended to 28 November 2025.
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The ZEP allowed Zimbabwean nationals who did not have a general work visa in South Africa to apply for a new one-year exemption permit, which would have been valid until 29 November 2025.
"I have done this in order to fulfil the duty placed on me by the Gauteng High Court to consult the affected ZEP holders and all other stakeholders," Schreiber said.
The Gauteng High Court found that the termination of the ZEP, which was in June 2023, was unlawful.
South Africans unhappy with decision
The extension of the permit means that all holders remain valid for the next 12 months.
"No holder of a ZEP may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for purposes of deportation or deported in terms of Section 34 of the Immigration Act for any reason related to him or her not having any valid exemption certificate," Schreiber said.
South Africans are unhappy with Schreiber’s decision, criticising him for allowing foreign nationals to stay in the country.
@Tusani_Ngiba said:
“Now I understand why they say the minister of Home Affairs SA is a Zimbabwean.”
@Stu5Kart added:
“They are never going home.”
@TheGeopol said:
“It’s clear the GNU wants to see another July 21 uprising, or a mini-2008. This is pure disrespect to patriots.”
@lawrencezulu asked:
“Will it ever end in SA? SA is getting overcrowded every day, and there is no political will to put an end to this plague. Soon South Africans will be an endangered species in their country.”
@Nompu1234 added:
“This minister hates us as South Africans. I hate him so much.”
@SimphiweNd78486 asked:
“I wonder what it is that he is owing Zimbabwe.”
@busiswa_buciie stated:
“He is a Zimbabwean himself. No surprise.”
@ThaboLives said:
“That's a middle finger to millions of South Africans.”
@Moleleki_nj asked:
“Is there some kind of agreement between these pathetic leaders and foreigners that we don't know? Because how do you turn a blind eye to what your citizens need and choose foreigners?”
Home Affairs fired 18 crooked officials
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Home Affairs busted 18 corrupt officials and fired them.
The officials were charged with various offences, including irregularly issuing documents like IDs and asylum documents.
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Source: Briefly News
