Zimbabweans in South Africa with special dispensation permits have just next year to make a plan and change to a regular permit or home after South African cabinet decided to end the special dispensation permits held by about 200,000 Zimbabweans living in South Africa.

Cabinet spokesperson Ms P. Williams said those Zimbabweans who previously benefited from the special dispensation permits were now free to apply for other permits appropriate to their particular status or situation.

The first Zimbabwean special dispensation started in 2009 and was called the Dispensation for Zimbabwe Permits. It provided   for the documentation of qualifying Zimbabweans for a 5-year period.

In 2014, the permits were extended by 3 years and changed name to Zimbabwe Special Permits.

The cabinet has now announced that they were not going to renew the permits and has given a 12 months grace period at the expiry of the current permits. After the end of the grace period, those who will have failed to successfully apply for other permits will have to leave South Africa or be deported.