Home Affairs signals new route to permanent residency for Zimbabweans living in South Africa

A potential policy shift by the Department of Home Affairs could allow Zimbabweans living in South Africa to apply for permanent residency.

The move, linked to comments by Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza, may affect thousands of Zimbabwean nationals currently in the country under special permits.

Long-running issue for Zimbabwean permit holders

Zimbabweans in South Africa have for years relied on the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and its predecessors.

Advocate Simba Chitando said the development is ‘positive news’ after prolonged legal challenges over the status of permit holders.

He said previous approaches focused on repeatedly extending permits, which created uncertainty.

“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.

Requirements and process are still unclear

Current immigration law already sets out key requirements for permanent residency.

Applicants would need 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.

Pathway to citizenship, but no immediate voting rights

Zimbabweans granted permanent residency would not be able to vote in South African elections.

But after five years, they could apply for citizenship through naturalisation, which would then allow voting rights.

That process would require a separate application and would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Immigration concerns remain in South Africa

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.

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For more detailed information, listen to Chitando using the audio player below: