World News
South Africa Extends Zimbabwe Exemption Permits by 18 Months
The South African government has brought much-needed relief and clarity to tens of thousands of Zimbabwean nationals living and working in the country by extending the validity of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) for an additional 18 months.
The announcement was made through a Government Gazette notice issued on 7 October 2025 by the Department of Home Affairs, under the name of Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. L. A. Schreiber, MP.
According to the notice Minister’s Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025 all existing ZEPs, which were originally due to expire on 28 November 2025, will now remain valid until 28 May 2027.
“The extension ensures that ZEP holders continue to enjoy legal residence and work status in South Africa while the government finalizes consultations on a long-term migration framework.
Pending the conclusion of consultations, the directive states, the validity of permits issued in terms of Section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002, shall be extended until 28 May 2027,” said Minister Schreiber.
Minister Schreiber explained that the decision follows detailed discussions by the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), which was appointed in April 2025.
“The board has been tasked with recommending sustainable policy options for managing the status of ZEP holders — many of whom have lived in South Africa for more than a decade,” he stated.
The ZEP scheme, first introduced in 2009 as the Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project (DZP), was designed to regularize the stay of Zimbabweans who had migrated to South Africa due to economic and political instability back home. The permit has since undergone several renewals and policy adjustments.
Human rights and migrant advocacy groups have welcomed the extension, describing it as a “positive and humane” step that prevents mass displacement and uncertainty for thousands of families. However, they have also called for a clear, permanent resolution to the long-standing issue.
The South African government has emphasised that the latest extension is part of a broader effort to reform immigration policy to balance national interests, legal compliance, and humanitarian considerations.
Russian authorities have moved to block Meta-owned WhatsApp across the country, citing the company’s failure to meet domestic legal requirements.
Officials say Meta did not establish a local office, declined to cooperate with data-sharing demands, and failed to remove content deemed unlawful.
The government has also linked the messaging platform to cases of fraud and alleged extremist activities.
Following the shutdown, many users in Russia are migrating to alternative platforms such as Telegram, VK Messenger, Yandex Messenger, and the government-supported MAX application.
Dalisto Lungu, the son of Zambia’s late former president Edgar Lungu, has been stripped of assets worth more than US$1.26 million after a ruling by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court.
The court found that the properties were obtained through illicit means and ordered their forfeiture to the state. The seized assets include 79 motor vehicles, over 20 pieces of land located in various parts of Zambia, as well as a fuel service station.
In its judgment, the EFCC stated that Lungu failed to provide credible evidence of a lawful income or business operations that could reasonably explain his accumulation of such wealth.
Lungu disputed the allegations, insisting that the properties were legally acquired. However, the court ruled that his explanation was insufficient to counter the state’s case, paving the way for the assets to be confiscated.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has dismissed online allegations suggesting that its founder, Bill Gates, is responsible for a surge in mosquito populations in Kenya.
Responding on X, the foundation clarified that it does not run mosquito laboratories nor release mosquitoes in Nairobi or anywhere else in the country.
It emphasized that all its health-related initiatives are carried out in support of Kenya’s own priorities and strictly follow government regulations.
The statement came after claims shared by Kenyan lawyer and politician Paul Muite gained traction on social media, sparking intense public discussion.
Some posts alleged that genetically modified mosquitoes were being produced and released on a large scale, claims the foundation described as completely untrue.
The controversy has emerged against the backdrop of continued concern over malaria, which remains a serious public health issue in the region.
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