This critical deadline follows a court-mandated extension earlier this year, after migrant advocacy groups highlighted significant backlogs at the Department of Home Affairs, making it difficult for applicants to meet previous deadlines.

Those who fail to secure permits or waivers by the end of the day risk deportation.  

Advocate Simba Chitanda, representing the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Association, described the process as a “bureaucratic nightmare.”

Despite some improvements, persistent issues such as delays in securing necessary documentation and obtaining new passports have left many ZEP holders in a precarious situation.  

"The crisis is not of the ZEP holders' making," Chitanda said, adding that many applicants are caught in a backlog that hinders their ability to complete applications on time.  

Chitanda revealed that efforts to engage with the Department of Home Affairs and then Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi yielded limited results.

While the minister is reportedly aware of the challenges, the association is preparing to take legal action to seek urgent relief.  

"We are considering filing an urgent application next week if no resolution is reached today," Chitanda noted, indicating the high stakes involved for thousands of ZEP holders.  

The difficulties faced by ZEP holders extend beyond paperwork. Many have experienced severe disruptions in their lives, including job losses, difficulties enrolling children in schools and being denied emergency healthcare in some cases.

Additionally, banks have unlawfully closed accounts, despite court rulings ordering them to keep accounts open for ZEP holders.  

"The treatment of ZEP holders has been atrocious," Chitanda said, pointing out that even with lawful permits, they face discrimination and systemic obstacles.  

A key demand from the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Association is the right to apply for permanent residency. Many ZEP holders have lived in SA for over a decade and have accumulated lawful stay periods that should qualify them for residency.  

"They have contributed to SA society and should be allowed to live productive lives here if they choose to," Chitanda emphasised.  

The ZEP crisis highlights broader issues within the Department of Home Affairs. Although new Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has been praised for his pragmatic approach and efforts to clear backlogs, the systemic issues inherited from his predecessor remain unresolved.  

"Schreiber has inherited a mess," Chitanda acknowledged, noting some positive steps, such as making waivers easier to obtain. However, he stressed that significant challenges persist.  

SA’s courts have frequently intervened in ZEP-related issues, emphasising the need for government decisions to adhere to principles of rationality, fairness, and constitutional rights. Advocacy groups argue that the Department of Home Affairs has often failed to meet these standards.  

As today’s deadline looms, ZEP holders face an uncertain future. Advocacy groups are calling for an extension to allow more time for applications and a pathway to permanent residency.  

*"We urge the government to guarantee ZEP holders' rights and give them the opportunity to live and work here lawfully," Chitanda concluded.  

--ChannelAfrica--