CLAIM: Zimbabweans With Exemption Permits Can Now Reside Permanently In South Africa
On May 19, 2026, a Facebook user, Free Africa, claimed that the South African government has given Zimbabweans an exemption to stay permanently in the rainbow nation. The post has a collage picture of South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa; a crowd waiting by the road; and people crawling through a security wire.
The post is captioned, “🇿🇦BREAKING: South Africa’s Government Opens the Door for Zimbabweans to Stay Permanently ‼️According to SA’s Deputy Home Affairs Minister Njabulo Nzuza — “Foreign nationals currently holding Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) may now apply for permanent residency. The ZEP programme was never meant to be permanent — but those already living and working in the country could now have a pathway to stay legally for good.” #FreeAfrica.”
When this report was published, the post had over 1,370 reactions, comments and shares.
VERIFICATION
NV-A conducted a reverse Google image search on the different pictures and it was found that the image where people were seen sitting by the roadside was taken in December 2008, during a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. The image showing people crawling through a wire fence has been in the public domain since August 2022. Iit shows Illegal Zimbabwean immigrants crossing over the South African border. The image of Ramaphosa was taken in July 2023, when he was addressing residents of the Sekhukhune district, South Africa.
A look at the immigration policies between both countries led to the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit, ZEP. This is a temporary immigration arrangement introduced to allow qualifying Zimbabwean nationals to legally live and work in South Africa during periods of economic and political instability in Zimbabwe. ZEP was introduced on September 15, 2017 to replace the previously issued Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP). The permit was never designed to automatically lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
Confusion began after comments by South Africa’s Deputy Home Affairs Minister, Njabulo Nzuza, were interpreted by some media outlets and social media users as meaning Zimbabweans would now be allowed to remain permanently in South Africa. Some reports suggested that holders of ZEP could apply for permanent residency.
However, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs issued an official clarification stating that there is no policy change regarding ZEP holders. The statement said that ZEP permits remain temporary, its holders do not automatically qualify for permanent residence and existing permits remain valid until 29 May 2027.
According to official South African government guidelines, foreigners may qualify for permanent residence if one or more of the following apply: they have held work visas for at least five years, possess critical skills, have business investments, are married to South African citizens, qualify as refugees, or meet other legal immigration requirements. This means Zimbabweans are not barred from applying, but they must qualify under existing laws like any other foreign national.
CONCLUSION
The claim that Zimbabweans can now reside permanently in South Africa through the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits, ZEP program is MISLEADING. South Africa has not opened a special permanent residency door for Zimbabweans. While Zimbabwean nationals can still apply for permanent residency through ordinary immigration procedures, the government has clarified that ZEP holders do not receive automatic or guaranteed permanent stay rights.
