Association asks govt to allow ZEP holders to apply for permanent residency

JOHANNESBURG - Allow Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders to apply for permanent residency in South Africa.

That is the plea from Simba Chitando from the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit Holders Association.

Home Affairs has once again extended the permits' validity.

READ: Plan to assist Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders

They were due to expire at the end of this month, but are now valid until 31 December.

"The minister should allow ZEP holders an opportunity to make one application for permanent residency status in the country.

"That would deal with the problem. It will prevent all of this anxiety, it will prevent the back and forth in courts. It is the right thing to do because after more than 10 years in the country ZEP holders ought to be entitled to apply to be here permanently," Chitando said.

"That would solve the problem, in my view, it would alleviate a lot of suffering. It will give ZEP holders' children, it will give the employers, it will give the financial services institutions, it will give the public certainty and we can put a line under this whole ZEP issue."