In a statement released by South African Home Affairs Director-General, Mr L.Tommy Makhode employers, schools, banks and other institutions have been advised to allow the affected Zimbabwe Special Permit holders to continue with normal services during the 12 months grace period.
The statement read;
All companies, employers, learning institutions and banks are to kindly note that the applicants who are in possession of ZEP expiring on December, 31, 2021, must be allowed to continue with their services, provided they submit proof of application for a mainstream visa in terms of Immigration Act and regulations. Proof of application must be a VFS receipt.
All applicants with a ZEP must be allowed to travel freely in and out of the country until 31 December 2022, when the grace period ends, after which they will only be allowed to travel in and out of South Africa if in possession of a valid visa. The contents of this directive must be brought to the attention of all officials concerned.
Those who fail to apply successfully would have to leave South Africa or risk deportation.
The development comes a few days after some banks were already advising their Zimbabweans clients to present new permits at the beginning of January next year.