The release of Zimbabwean prisoners in South Africa appears to be supported by both governments.
A campaign has kicked off to repatriate thousands of Zimbabwean prisoners eligible for parole.
A letter sent by attorneys representing the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Association (Zepha) to the ministers of Home Affairs and Justice and Correctional Services demands action to facilitate the release and repatriation of Zimbabwean prisoners eligible for parole by Tuesday (23 May), failing which the matter will be taken to court.
“The release of Zimbabwean prisoners eligible for parole is within the interests of justice and would save taxpayer money,” say Zepha’s attorneys.
“Our instructions are to request that your respective departments work with the Zimbabwean Embassy in processing Zimbabwean prisoners in South Africa eligible for parole to be released and repatriated to Zimbabwe.”
Among the reasons for launching the campaign to repatriate Zimbabwean prisoners is “widespread institutionalised xenophobia”, says Advocate Simba Chitando, who is also representing Zepha.
“As inmates they are especially vulnerable to cruel and degrading treatment because of their nationality,” says Chitando.
“They’ve had their goods stolen, [been] denied meals, refused blankets, and are regularly assaulted by both prison officials and South African inmates.
“In one specific case a Zimbabwean inmate who has served six years in prison for stealing a cellphone, who would be out on parole if he was South African, has never met his child born just after he was arrested.”
Support
The release of the Zimbabwean prisoners seems to be supported by both the Zimbabwean and South African government.
The latter is on record saying it does not want Zimbabwean criminals in South Africa, yet it appears to have done little to

facilitate the release of those eligible for parole.
The Zimbabwean government has set up a programme to assist Zimbabweans who want to return home through its consular offices in SA.
The Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP), which allows Zimbabweans to live and work in SA, expires at the end of June.
It is however the subject of several court challenges seeking to set the expiry aside.
Should the termination of the ZEP programme go ahead, some 178 000 permit holders will have to apply for alternative visas, leave voluntarily, or face deportation. Zepha says this would create a humanitarian crisis for the region, as ZEP holders and their families face returning to a country that is ill-equipped to absorb this number of people.
Dudula News reports that Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is proposing the repeal of three pieces of legislation: the Immigration Act, the SA Citizenship Act and the Refugees Act. A new law to be introduced aims to deal with court challenges brought by migrants when litigating laws of the country, he is reported as saying.
Many Zimbabwean prisoners in SA are disqualified from applying for a visa or a permit because they have previous convictions.
Others have visas and permits that have lapsed while in prison. Chitando says this leaves them in a legal no-man’s land.
“It would be far better to release those eligible for parole and allow them to return to Zimbabwe. Quite apart from the money it would save Correctional Services, it would also solve the issue of expired permits.
“Instead of dealing with the burgeoning number of Zimbabwean inmates, the South African government has targeted law abiding, gainfully employed, productive ZEP holders, and other Zimbabwean nationals in SA.” V.4836

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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