South Africa extends special permits for Zimbabweans by four years

South Africa today extended the special permits for Zimbabweans working in that country by four years.

The new permits which will be valid from 1 January 2018 will expire on 31 December 2021.

The permits are changing name from Zimbabwe Special Permit to Zimbabwe Exemption Permit but will only be issued to those with Zimbabwe Special Permits that expire at the end of this year.

South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize said 197 941 Zimbabweans have these special permits.

Zimbabweans have to pay an administrative fee of R1 090 for the permit.

Applications open on 15 September and close on 30 November.

Mkhize said the South African government had decided to extend the permits for Zimbabweans because  migrants play an important role in economic development and enriching social and cultural life.

“We remain conscious of the value of this approach. For instance, these dispensations have assisted in enhancing national security and the orderly management of migration,” she said.

“This dispensation will assist greatly in advancing the objectives of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030 particularly in respect of the focus on the economy, attracting critical skills into the country and ensuring transfer of skills to our citizens for better employment prospects.”

Below is Mkhize’s full statement and places where Zimbabweans can register

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