South Africa-based ZEP holders face new challenges

South Africa-based Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders say they are being harassed, unlawfully detained and denied access to basic services – despite their permits being valid until May 27, 2027.

The complaints are contained in a petition addressed to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, with copies sent to the Ministers of Transport and Police, as well as the Banking Association of South Africa. The petition calls for urgent intervention to stop what it describes as ongoing abuse of ZEP and Lesotho Special Permit (LSP) holders.

At the centre of the dispute is Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025, which extended the validity of both permits until May 2027. However, affected individuals claim that some authorities are ignoring the gazetted directive, resulting in arrests, detentions and denial of services such as opening bank accounts and renewing driver’s licences.

Africa Immigration Programme founder Luke Dziti said it had come to his attention that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, were flouting official instructions by arresting ZEP holders unnecessarily.

Dziti urged the government to issue an urgent circular to relevant departments and institutions, clearly reaffirming the validity of the permits.

“May you kindly urgently send a circular to the Police Minister, Minister of Transport and the Banking Association of South Africa, and inform them that the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit and the Lesotho Special Permit are valid until 28 May 2027,” Dziti said.

He further suggested that permit holders be issued with clearly marked expiry stickers to avoid confusion during routine checks.

Dziti warned that from Monday, 23 February 2026, unlawfully detained ZEP holders would be encouraged to institute legal action, claiming up to R920 000 per person for every 24 hours of detention, calculated hourly.

The concerns escalated following reports of police raids targeting foreign nationals, particularly Zimbabweans, who claim they were harassed despite carrying valid documentation.

Zimbabwe Community in South Africa general secretary Ngqabutho Mabhena alleged on social media that several ZEP holders were assaulted and arrested after officials claimed their passports did not have “days” stamped.

According to Mabhena, a Zimbabwean woman was allegedly assaulted by officers from Rabie Ridge Police Station after she maintained that her passport did not require a specified number of visiting days.

An eyewitness reportedly said the woman was taken to hospital after being struck in the face and head with a pistol butt. Several other permit holders were allegedly detained at the same station on similar grounds.

Mabhena argued that ZEP holders are legally resident in South Africa until their permits expire and do not require visitor day stamps in their passports.

“But due to a combination of ignorance and corruption, police always find ways to frustrate them into paying bribes through harassment, intimidation and detention,” he said.

Petitioners say the failure by some officials to comply with gazetted immigration directives is creating fear and instability among thousands of legally documented foreign nationals.

They are now demanding clear enforcement measures, improved training for law enforcement officers and written confirmation to banks and licensing authorities to prevent further rights violations.

As tensions mount, all eyes are on the Department of Home Affairs to clarify its position – and to determine whether those accused of unlawful arrests and harassment will be held accountable. *_-Bulawayo24_*