Viral social media posts are claiming a massive “breaking” shift in South African immigration policy for Zimbabwean nationals, but the Department of Home Affairs has stepped in to set the record straight.
🔹 The Core Story
A wave of viral “breaking news” headlines has set the internet ablaze, claiming that South Africa’s government has officially opened the doors for holders of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) to stay in the country permanently.
However, the South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has issued an urgent clarification, stating categorically that there has been no change in policy. The viral rumors stemmed from a widely misinterpreted television interview with Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza, which sent shockwaves through immigration forums and community groups.
🔹 Cutting Through the Noise: What Was Actually Said
The confusion ignited when Deputy Minister Nzuza discussed immigration reforms on Newzroom Afrika. While he mentioned that ZEP holders should explore legal pathways—including mainstream temporary or permanent residence permits—his words were quickly stripped of context online.
The official reality of the situation stands as follows:
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No Blanket Approvals: Home Affairs clarified that ZEP holders do not automatically qualify for permanent residence permits under the conditions of their exemption status.
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Individual Merit Only: If a Zimbabwean national wishes to transition to a permanent status, they must independently qualify and apply for mainstream visas (such as critical skills, business, or spousal visas) under the standard Immigration Act. Each case is evaluated entirely on individual merit, with no shortcuts or new legal categories created.
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The Validity Timeline: Current ZEP permits remain fully valid until May 29, 2027, as per the extension granted in June 2025.
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Policy Still Under Review: The South African government is currently concluding a rigorous public consultation process regarding the future of the ZEP and Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP) schemes, with a final position paper expected to hit the Cabinet by the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
