Lesotho, Zimbabwe exemption permits extended for two years

Motsoaledi was briefing the media on Friday morning on his department's decision.

The exemptions issued to the Lesotho nationals were set to expire on 31 December 2023 and the validity of the exemption permits issued to the Zimbabwean nationals were initially extended by the court to 28 June 2024.

This was after a litigation brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation.

This as approximately 54 653 Lesotho nationals have been granted exemptions for a period of two years.

Motsoaledi says the affected Lesotho nationals will be entitled to apply for new exemption permits the prescribed conditions.

"A holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to work, seek employment and conduct business in the Republic of South Africa; A holder of the exemption permit due to expire on 31 December 2023 or such extended period of validity will be entitled to apply for a new exemption permit; A holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to sojourn in the Republic of South Africa during the validity of the exemption permit;

"New exemption permits to be issued will expire on 29 November 2025; a holder of the exemption permit will not be entitled to apply for permanent residence in terms of sections 25, 26 and 27 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 or any other provisions in any other law, irrespective of the period of stay in the Republic of South Africa; new Exemption permits will not be renewable; a holder of the exemption permit will be allowed freedom of movement between Lesotho and South Africa or any other country;

"A holder of the exemption permit cannot change his or her status in the Republic of South Africa as contemplated in section 10 (6) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 during the validity of the permit issued; when a holder of the exemption due to expire on 31 December 2023 or such extended period apply for a new exemption permit, he or she must disclose and/or register all the minor children born and staying in the Republic of South Africa."

Motsoaledi adds that the Zimbabwean nationals will also be subjected to some conditions.

This as approximately 178 000 Zimbabwean nationals have been granted exemptions for a period of two years in terms of section 31 (2) (b) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2022.

"I have issued directives extending the validity of the exemption permits in respect of the Lesotho nationals to 31 December 2024 and in respect of the Zimbabwean nationals to 31 December 2024. The directives are annexed hereto marked 'A' and 'B'.

"The directives will be published in the Government Gazette on Monday, 4 December 2023. It will be seen from the directives in respect of the Zimbabwean nationals that approximately 78 126 of those who applied for waivers and 10 427 of those who applied for other visas are afforded certain protections while they await the outcome of their waiver and visa applications. In other words, there is no need for them to apply for new exemption permits as the validity of their expired exemption permits has been duly extended."

The minister has called on all affected Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals to make use of the window of opportunity to apply for new exemption permits through VFS Global.

"VFS Global has been instructed to distribute this press statement and directives directly to all affected Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals without any further delay. VFS Global has also been instructed to fast-track the application process for new exemption permits. A dedicated team will be set up to deal with the applications for new exemption permits."

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