ActionSA has rejected further extended validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs), saying this represents yet another act of “indecision and weakness” by a government that continues to avoid confronting South Africa’s immigration crisis head-on.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber extended the ZEP until May 28, 2027.

He noted that pending the conclusion of consultations, existing ZEPs shall be deemed to remain valid for an additional 18 months after the current expiry date of 28 November 2025.

He further highlighted that no holder of the exemption may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for purposes of deportation or deported in terms of Section 34 of the Immigration Act for any reason related to him or her not having any valid exemption certificate.

Schreiber said the holder of an exemption certificate may be allowed to enter into or depart from the Republic of South Africa in terms of Section 9 of the Immigration Act, read together with the Immigration Regulations, 2014, provided that he or she complied with all other requirements for entry into and departure from the Republic, save for the reason of not having a valid visa endorsed in his or her passport;

He explained that no ZEP holder should be required to produce a valid exemption certificate, visa or an authorisation letter to remain in the country as contemplated in Section 32(1) of the Immigration Act when making an application for any category of the visa for temporary sojourn in the country as contemplated in Section 10(2) of the Immigration Act.

ActionSA wants Schreiber to publish a comprehensive and time-bound transition plan that sets firm deadlines for the conclusion of consultations and implementation of immigration reforms.

“Every further delay deepens social tensions, weakens accountability, and tells law-abiding South Africans that their government lacks the political courage to lead,” said ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni.

Ngobeni said while the party supported a humane and orderly approach to immigration, it rejected the ongoing pattern of temporary measures that erode public confidence, undermine border integrity, and perpetuate inequality between citizens and foreign nationals.

Schreiber said the Immigration Advisory Board appointed in April, had met on several occasions and deliberated amongst themselves on the immediate future and a long-term solution for holders of ZEP permits.

He explained that critical stakeholders would need to be part of a consultation process.

Ngobeni said South Africa did not need endless extensions.

“We need decisive leadership, firm timelines, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

“The Minister’s excuse of “ongoing consultations” with the Immigration Advisory Board offers no comfort to South Africans who have waited years for decisive action. There is still no clear, time-bound plan to resolve this long-standing issue, leaving our borders porous and our immigration system in disarray,” she said.

The party have called on Schreiber to strengthen the Border Management Authority and internal enforcement capacity to decisively curb illegal immigration and restore the integrity of the country’s immigration laws by ending this cycle of indefinite extensions.