Zimbabweans always knew permits would be revoked, state argues
But rights groups say appeal against extension ruling is a waste of time
All Zimbabwe exemption permit holders knew the regime was temporary and could be revoked at any time by the minister who implemented it, William Mokhare, counsel for the department of home affairs and its minister, told a Pretoria court on Monday.
The SA government established the exemption regime as a humanitarian gesture to allow Zimbabweans who had fled their country’s political and economic turmoil to stay and work in SA. The regime has since been extended twice, and in November 2021 the cabinet announced there would be no more extensions. It gave holders a year’s grace to secure an alternative immigration status. ..
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