Home affairs extends the validity of Zimbabwe exemption permits
The home affairs department has extended the validity exemption permits for Zimbabweans that were set to expire at the end of June until the end of the year.
Home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi issued a directive in September 2022 to extend the validity of exemption permits, but said in a statement late on Wednesday they will now expire only at the end of December.
“No holder of a valid exemption permit may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for purposes of deportation or deported in terms of section 34 of the Immigration Act for any reason related to him or her not having any valid exemption certificate in his or her passport,” the directive reads.
The extension comes after the department had “approved thousands of waiver applications of the affected Zimbabwean nationals” and was “considering and approving waiver applications daily”.
“This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of visa and waiver applications. The Departmental Advisory Committee (DAC) led by Dr Cassius Lubisi is now dealing with the increased number of visa applications,” Motsoaledi said.