JOHANNESBURG – A potential policy shift by the Department of Home Affairs could allow tens of thousands of Zimbabweans living in South Africa to apply for permanent residency, while concerns grow over immigration and unclear rules.
The move, linked to comments by Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza, may affect thousands of Zimbabwean nationals currently in the country under special permits, such as the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and its predecessors, which they have relied on for years.
Advocate Simba Chitando said the development is ‘positive news’ after prolonged legal challenges over the status of permit holders. “We were saying that holders should have the right to permanent residency as far back as when the ZEP was cancelled,” he said.
Estimates suggest tens of thousands of Zimbabweans in South Africa could be affected, although the exact number is unclear due to migration, deaths, and permit changes over time.
Current immigration law already sets out key requirements for permanent residency, including at least five years of lawful stay and a clean criminal record. However, Chitando cautioned that no formal regulations or government notice have yet been published. “There’s nothing in writing from Home Affairs,” he said, adding that details of how the policy will work remain uncertain. The application system, run through VFS Global, also does not yet allow Zimbabwean permit holders to apply for permanent residency.
Zimbabweans granted permanent residency would not be able to vote in South African elections immediately. But after five years, they could apply for citizenship through naturalisation, which would then allow voting rights.
The possible policy shift comes as immigration remains a sensitive issue in South Africa. While Zimbabweans living in South Africa seek long-term certainty, some South Africans have raised concerns about the impact of immigration on jobs, services and regulation.
The government has indicated that broader immigration laws are under review, which could shape how the new approach is implemented.
For now, Zimbabwean nationals and South Africans alike are waiting for formal policy details before any changes take effect. The lack of clarity has created both hope and anxiety among those affected, as they await concrete information on the requirements and processes involved in applying for permanent residency. The implementation of this policy will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how South Africa manages immigration in the future.
