Zimbabweans in South Africa are in a state of panic as they await a ruling from the courts on whether they can remain in that country despite the non-extension of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEPs).
The High Court Division in Gauteng, South Africa, was supposed to have ruled on the challenge filed last year by the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF), a human rights organisation seeking to overturn a government decision not to prolong the ZEPs in 2021.
The South African government ordered Zimbabweans to move to other permits available within their country or depart at the end of 2022, HSF argued that the non-extension was unlawful and unreasonable.
South Africa then temporarily extended ZEP holders’ stay until June of this year, after which Zimbabweans are expected to return home.
In an interview with CITE, African Diaspora Global Network leader, Dr Vusumuzi Sibanda said people were still waiting for the High Court’s decision, which was causing concern among Zimbabweans because the June deadline was just around the corner
“Well, we are still awaiting the decision of the court. There is pandemonium because people are panicking from every angle, not knowing what exactly they should be doing because obviously the deadline is looming,” he said.
“People do not know how they will be able to proceed with work, considering they don’t have valid permits and they don’t know. It’s a reality now and dawned to many that (returning to Zimbabwe) is what might happen.”