Legal Whammy: High Court Bans The Arresting and Deporting People Without Zimbabwe Exemption Permits
The Pretoria High Court has issued a verdict against Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi regarding the arrest and deportation of individuals without valid Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP).
Zimbabwe Exemption Permits Deadline
The deadline for holders of ZEP to regularise their stay in South Africa was extended to 31 December 2023 by Minister Motsoaledi on 7 June 2023, following a directive issued by the Director-General of the Department of Home Affairs on 29 November 2021.
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This means that ZEP holders have an additional six months to apply for other visas or permits under the normal immigration laws of the country.
On Arresting Those Without Zimbabwe Exemption Permits
During this extension period, no ZEP holder may be arrested, ordered to depart from South Africa, or deported for any reason relating to the ZEP holder not being in possession of a valid exemption certificate in their passport.
All ZEP holders are also allowed to enter and depart from South Africa subject to meeting the requisite requirements in terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
The extension was granted in response to the numerous legal challenges that were launched against the Minister’s decision not to renew the ZEP after 31 December 2021.
The Pretoria High Court is still considering the merits of these challenges and has not yet made a final ruling on whether the Minister’s decision was lawful or not.
Mzansi Disgruntled
South Africans expressed mixed emotions after the Pretoria High Court made a ruling on arresting and deporting people with invalid Zimbabwe Exemption Permits.
Mashiyamahle:
“Our courts are all captured 🚮”
Manson:
“Is there anyone who currently has a valid ZEP?”
Musa:
“Courts are captured by NGOs.”
Kanki:
“It’s hard to be stepfather, Mugabe kids don’t want to go home because of the new stepfather @ZANUPF_Official.”
Village Boy:
“This is good news ANC is siding with Zanupf I will encourage more Zimbabweans to come to SA so that @MbalulaFikile can feel the pain of supporting Zanupf.”