Vusimuzi Sibanda, chairperson of the African Diaspora Global Network (ADGN), has criticized the Department of Home Affairs for wasting taxpayers’ money by pursuing the court case against the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) programme.
This critique comes after the Constitutional Court dismissed Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s application to appeal a high court ruling that deemed the termination of the ZEP programme unlawful.
The Department of Home Affairs faced significant backlash for not adhering to proper procedures when they attempted to terminate the ZEP programme.
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This programme is crucial for over 178,000 Zimbabweans, allowing them to legally reside and work in South Africa.
Last week, the Constitutional Court dismissed the appeal and issued an interim interdict preventing the government from arresting or deporting any ZEP permit holders.
According to Sibanda, the loss by the Department of Home Affairs was anticipated. He asserted that both the minister and the department were fully aware of the probable outcome.
Sibanda suggested that the department pursued the case for political reasons, aiming to appeal to a population segment against migrants and foreigners.
Sibanda emphasized the necessity for Zimbabweans holding ZEP permits to keep them valid. This ensures that should the need arise to extend the permits, they do not miss the opportunity.
The interim interdict provides a temporary respite, allowing permit holders to continue their lives without the immediate threat of deportation.
The Department of Home Affairs’ decision to challenge the ZEP ruling has been deemed by critics as a misuse of public resources. As the legal battle draws to a close, the focus shifts to ensuring the rights and stability of Zimbabwean permit holders in South Africa.
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