Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) was implemented by the Home Affairs in 2017 in a bid to document the masses of Zimbabweans who live in South Africa without papers.

The Hellen Suzman Foundation is challenging Home Affairs and the State in court, with the hope of turning around the termination of Exemption Permits. South African government and Home Affairs decided not to renew the exemption permits when they expired last year December, meaning Zimbabweans who used the permits mus apply for other type of permit within 12 month or leave the country.

Sould Helen Suzman Foundation not be successful it means Zimbabwean students and workers who held this permit if they are unable to apply for other permits won’t be able to work or study in South Africa. Zimbabweans will have to trade informally or go back to their own country. With already a hugenumber of Zimbabweans undocumented in South Africa, Home Affairs will have to deport them.