Zimbabweans in South Africa are hopeful that the new Democratic Alliance (DA) Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, will facilitate an easier path for holders of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) to obtain permanent residency.
About 178,000 ZEP holders have until December 31 this year to regularise their status, switch to other permits, or leave South Africa.
Hellen Zille, head of South Africa’s largest opposition party, the DA, has expressed that Zimbabweans are hardworking individuals who should be allowed to legalise their ZEPs. Zille emphasized that Zimbabwean permit holders contribute significantly to the local economy and should continue to stay in South Africa. This pro-Zimbabwean migrant stance has given Zimbabweans optimism regarding the DA’s appointment of a minister to run the Home Affairs Department.
“The appointment of the DA MP, Leon Schreiber, to head the Home Affairs portfolio is a welcome change,” said the leader of the African Diaspora Global Network, Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda, in an interview with CITE.
“We want to see how the DA will handle the Home Affairs department because it has been in shambles for a very long time,” he added.
Dr Sibanda remarked that the ongoing fight for ZEP holders looked promising at this specific point in time, citing Zille’s statements advocating for Zimbabweans to be granted permanent residency.
“A month after the South African elections, Hellen Zille said ZEP holders really needed to have permanent residence in South Africa,” said the migrant leader. “There is a likelihood of ZEP holders getting permanent residency, and people are hopeful that this particular minister might push for it. This would be a welcome change.”
However, Dr Sibanda was aware that the ideas of one party in a Government of National Unity (GNU) might not be shared by others.
“The concern is whether the Cabinet in South Africa will adopt the DA stance. Will the DA’s policy prevail, or will the Cabinet oppose it?” he questioned. “Often, when people are not in government, they say one thing and do another once in power.”
Dr Sibanda added that his organisation, the African Diaspora Global Network, would ‘obviously’ consult with the new Home Affairs Minister to express their views.
“Of course, we will have discussions,” he summed up.
Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, echoed these sentiments, stating they are waiting to see what changes the DA will bring to the Home Affairs Department regarding migration.
“We are not sure how the DA and other political parties in the GNU will implement their policies in government. Over the years, ANC ministers have implemented ANC policies in government,” he said.
Mabhena cited South Africa’s White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee Protection, which aims to overhaul the country’s migration system. It was gazetted under the leadership of former Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, as an ANC policy document.
“Motsoaledi was implementing ANC policy. We are now waiting to see if the DA will introduce its policies,” he said. “We look forward to seeing what the new minister will bring to the Department of Home Affairs.”
Mabhena also agreed with Dr Sibanda that while they were hoping for positive news regarding ZEP holders, caution was necessary as politicians often say and do contradictory things.
“The DA said they would grant permanent residence to holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits. We don’t know if they still hold that view or if they will change their stance now that they are in government,” said the chairperson of the Zimbabwe community in South Africa.
