Duty-free entry for returning citizens

Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwean citizens returning from neighbouring South Africa will be allowed to enter the country with one car and all their personal belongings duty-free at the expiry of their Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) next year.

There are about 178 000 Zimbabweans under the ZEP which lapsed on December 31, 2021. South Africa issued a 12-month grace period allowing Zimbabweans to either apply for another type of permit or leave the country.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, in a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, said government was anticipating an influx of returning citizens, adding that South Africa had extended the permit to June 2023.

This was after only 6 000 permit holders had approached the South African Department of Home Affairs seeking a waiver.

“The Zimbabwe Government has issued guidelines and regulations to returning residents which is one duty-free vehicle, and no limit to personal property. Government has also engaged the South African Government, emphasising that Zimbabwe is ready to receive its returning nationals who should comply with the relevant South African laws,” said Mutsvangwa.

Cabinet agreed to establish an interim committee to prepare for the returning residents.

“The committee will be supported by subcommittees with the following functional areas: transport and logistics, security, documentation, reintegration support, resource mobilisation, information and publicity as well as health and education,” the minister said.

She said the mass deportation of which South Africa had granted them.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe expected mass deportations of its citizens undocumented Zimbabweans from South Africa at expiry of the ZEP, adding that alternative visas that Zimbabweans could apply for include students, spousal and work permits.

“However, most ZEP holders do not qualify for the outside critical skills permits hence the low uptake,” said Mutsvangwa.