Harare (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwean government on Tuesday said it is taking measures to ensure minimum disruption of livelihoods of its citizens in South Africa affected by the non-renewal of exemption permits by the host country.

On November 25 this year, the South African cabinet resolved that it would no longer extend the Zimbabwean special permits, granting a 12-months grace period to the exemption permits, which were due to expire on December 31 this year.

This means the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP), which were due to expire at the end of this year, will now expire on December 31, 2022 on the basis of the grace period.

In a statement, the Zimbabwean embassy in South Africa said its government took note of the decision by South Africa and encouraged its citizens living in the neighbouring country to comply with the new requirements.

“The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe takes note of this decision by the Government of the Republic of South Africa, a close neighbour with which Zimbabwe enjoys excellent relations.

“The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe urges and encourages all its nationals, beneficiaries of the special dispensation, to comply with this decision and to cooperate in its implementation,” it said.

The embassy said discussions with South African authorities with a view to see smooth implementation of the new dispensation had been initiated.

“The embassy of Zimbabwe has initiated engagements and consultations with the relevant authorities of the government of South Africa with a view to ensuring the timely dissemination of information and the smooth implementation of this decision which will impact the lives and livelihoods of thousands of individuals and households.

“It is the embassy’s expectation that this decision will be implemented with the minimum of disruption to the lives and livelihoods of the affected individuals and their families,” it said.

More than 200 000 Zimbabweans are holders of the ZEP.

New Ziana