Breaking: ZEP holders can now apply for permanent residency

By Desmond Nleya
In a significant policy shift, South Africa is now allowing holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) to apply for permanent residency, marking a major development for thousands of Zimbabweans living and working in the country.

Speaking on Newzroom Africa, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza said the decision provides long-awaited relief to ZEP holders, many of whom have faced years of uncertainty regarding their legal status.

Under the new framework, eligible applicants will be able to transition from temporary protection to permanent residency, with the possibility of applying for citizenship after five years, subject to meeting legal requirements.

The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit was originally introduced to regularize the stay of Zimbabwean nationals who had fled economic and political instability in Zimbabwe. However, recent moves to phase out the permit created widespread concern among migrants and advocacy groups, prompting legal challenges and sustained lobbying efforts.