SA: Zimbabwe offers to help expired ZEP holders wishing to return home

• Published date: 03 February 2023
• Publication title: New Zimbabwe

By News24.comZimbabwe Exemption Permit holders in South Africa who wish to return home have been offered assistance by their government.The Zim government has appealed for citizens to return to Zimbabwe before the termination period arrives.

Zimbabwe spoke about waivers for paying customs duties.The Zimbabwean government has extended an olive branch to assist 180 000 Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders who wish to return home.

ddressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, Zimbabwe ambassador to South AfricaDavid Hamadziripisaid the government wants to assist citizens who voluntarily wish to return home before the expiry of their permits on 30 June.The process would be done online and in-person across South Africa.

"The online registration will be open from 2 February until 3 March.Hamadziripi claimed the process was not meant to influence Zimbabweans to participate in the coming elections indirectly.

We call on them to be law abiding and respect the laws of South Africa. The invitation is for voluntary registration.

We wish to facilitate and assist Zimbabweans who wish to go back home. It is by no means to compel those who don't wish to return home voluntarily," said Hamadziripi.

He continued that migration is an individual and voluntary decision.READ |Court battle over Zimbabwe permits set for AprilZimbabweans migrate because of various reasons.

To all ZEP holders who might decide to stay here and those who might decide to go elsewhere, we are anticipating that they won't be able to renew ZEP by the end of June. Some have raised their hands, asking for assistance.

We are in consultations and discussions with Pretoria. This decision not to renew ZEP is a sovereign decision by South Africa.

We can...