THE Department of Home Affairs has granted 178 000 Zimbabwean and 54 653 Lesotho foreign nationals exemption for a period of two years.
This was announced by Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi during a media briefing in Tshwane on Friday, 1 December.
The permit exemption was due to expire on 31 December for Lesotho foreign nationals, while the matter for Zimbabweans is still in court.
This started eight years ago when the Home Affairs decided to grant exemptions to Lesotho foreign nationals in terms of section 31 (2) (b) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 under certain terms and conditions.
Motsoaledi said the decision was taken due to prevailing circumstances at the time, including easing the burden on the asylum system and the fact that most of the affected Lesotho nationals were in reality economic migrants.
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The minister said he decided to grant exemptions for a period of two years in terms of section 31 (2) (b) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
He said the affected nationals will be entitled to apply for new exemption permits under the certain terms and conditions.
The two-year exemptions allow holders to work, seek employment, and conduct business in South Africa, with the option to apply for new permits
“A holder of the exemption permits due to expire on 31 December 2023 or such extended period of validity will be entitled to apply for a new exemption permit.
“A holder of the exemption permit will be entitled to sojourn in the Republic of South Africa during the validity of the exemption permit and a new exemption permits to be issued will expire on 29 November 2025,” the minister aid.
However, Motsoaledi said permanent residence applications are not permitted during the exemption period.
The new exemption permits will expire on 29 November 2025.
