JEREMY MAGGS: The Pretoria High Court has ruled the Department of Home Affairs’ decision to summarily withdraw the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit is unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid. So what does this mean? Well, effectively, permit holders will now have another 12 months to remain in South Africa without fear of reprisal or arrest.
MUCHENGETI HWACHA: So why it wasn’t done in the first place is anybody’s guess, Jeremy. It’s very disappointing for the government to have acted in this manner. The minister ought to have known the procedures in order to take a decision such as this and consulted with the public, consulted with society and, of course, the affected individuals.
MUCHENGETI HWACHA: I’ve been engaging with them since the judgment came out. They’re quite elated that their rights to administrative justice have been affirmed. Obviously, it’s only a temporary reprieve for 12 months, and so there’s still a little bit of anxiety of what happens next. But the judgment has been widely welcomed.
MUCHENGETI HWACHA: Migrants in general, and ZEP holders specifically, are often subject to discriminatory behaviour by public officials. From applying for a licence, receiving services at hospitals, almost every sector in which they’re forced to engage with a public official, we’ve had incidents of people finding difficulty accessing services because of their nationality or immigration status.
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