On Wednesday, the Pretoria High Court overturned the South African government’s decision to deport nearly 180,000 Zimbabwean nationals once their Exemption Permits (EPZs) expire in December.
In November 2021, the Department of Home Affairs announced that the EPZs from which Zimbabweans had benefited since 2009 would not be renewed, giving holders of this document a grace period to find other ways of regularising their residence.
The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) brought an action against the Department to prohibit the arrest, deportation, and detention of Zimbabweans after their permits expired.
In its judgment, the High Court declared the government’s decision to grant a limited extension to ZEP holders “unconstitutional and invalid”, ordering the parent department to reconsider the matter.
In addition, the High Court ordered that the PTA remain valid for the next 12 months and that the South African authorities allow the holders to enter or leave the country if they meet the immigration requirements.