Schreiber says SA must differentiate between ZEP holders who have contributed their skills to the country and those who have undermined the system.
Newly appointed Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says he needs time to review the processes and “missteps” in how the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) were handled.
This comes after the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruled that former Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi unlawfully terminated the ZEP.
The ZEP has allowed Zimbabweans to live, work and study in South Africa since 2009. This has been part of the Dispensation of Zimbabweans Project.
In December last year, Motsoaledi granted at least 178,000 Zimbabweans exemption permits until 29 November 2025.
The conditions of the extension of the ZEP mean that the Zimbabweans will be allowed to work, seek employment and conduct business in South Africa during the period of validity or to apply for a new permit.
No holder of a valid exemption permit may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for purposes of deportation or deported for any reason related to them not having any valid exemption certificate, reads the department’s directive.
Will Schreiber terminate ZEPs?
“It’s not clear-cut,” Schreiber told Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday.
“We have to approach all of these things on the basis of what our Constitution tells us. The courts have spoken on a particular way in which this matter has been handled. I will obviously need some time to go and review the processes and what some of the missteps were,” he said.
“The fundamental point to make is that we must uphold the law. That means where there is fraudulent activities or where people have engaged in corruption to obtain certificates or have corrupted the ZEP, there will need to be consequences. We must uphold the law in that space,” he said.
Schreiber will also look at the failures of the department to grant applicants legal paperwork to remain in the country.
“You cannot punish a person when the department has failed to facilitate what may have started as a legal application,” he said.
“There has to be a process for persons who have tried to legalise themselves, people who have tried to apply for other visas and have managed to contribute skills to the economy to actually obtain the paperwork where they have applied.
“Where there are people who do not meet the criteria, that is where we will have to review that system,” said Schreiber.
International community ‘pressure’
Schreiber further highlighted the “pressure” from the international community on South Africa to “play its role” in managing international migration.
“I was made to understand that there has been significant cuts to the ability of South Africa to actually process asylum papers and even from our neighbouring countries,” he said.
“That’s something I will have to take on urgently with the international community. They’re expecting South Africa to step up to our responsibilities when it comes to migration. We are one of the biggest recipients of migration including from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and they must surely come to the party with assisting South Africa to do that,” he said.
He said South Africa must differentiate between the ZEP holders who have contributed their skills to the country and those who have undermined the system.
“The visa issue is one of the many priorities we need to tackle in this department. The processing of visas can serve as an economic catalyst of South Africa. It will help in places where we have scare skills or people with exceptional skills, but also in the day-to-day operations,”said Schreiber.

Thousands of foreign nationals have chosen South Africa as their retirement destination, with many of them leaving some notable first-world countries such as the United Kingdom, China, Germany, and the United States of America.
In a parliamentary Q&A last year, the former Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, was asked to provide the total number of retirement visa applications received and approved, as well as the countries from which these applicants came.
In his response, Motsoaledi revealed that over the past two years, South Africa had received approximately 3,645 retirement visa applications from foreigners residing in 112 countries.
Out of a total of 3,645 visa applications, 1,645 have been approved, 1,449 are pending, and 499 have been rejected.
Reasons for rejections vary, from incomplete documents to failure to prove the required net worth or retirement income, which meets South Africa’s prescribed minimum amount of R37,000 per month.
The data also reveals that the top five countries for retirement visa applications are the UK, China, Germany, the USA, and Bangladesh, which account for 1,824 of the total applications.
Interestingly, notable applications have also been received from other European countries, such as Switzerland (150), the Netherlands (124), and Sweden (27), indicating a diverse range of applicants.
Adding to this, while commenting on the latest visa backlog numbers in 2024, the minister highlighted that another 1,686 retired person visas had yet to be processed, meaning the number of applications of foreigners wanting to retire in South Africa sits at well over 5,000.
Why South Africa
Despite facing numerous challenges, such as load shedding, high crime rates, and poor governance, South Africa continues to be viewed as an appealing retirement option for foreigners, especially in Gauteng.
Although, the Western Cape has also experienced a surge in demand for property from foreign buyers in recent years.
According to the latest Census 2022 provincial data, Gauteng is the most populated province in the country, with 15.8 million inhabitants.
However, only 9.5 million people who live in Gauteng were born in the province.
In contrast, 11.6 million of KwaZulu-Natal’s 12.4 million permanent residents were born in the province.
Gauteng is clearly a migration and semigration hub, with roughly a third of residents coming from other areas.
Overall, 1.1 million people born outside of the country live in Gauteng, which is far more than the 368,000 foreigners living in the Western Cape, which comes in second place.
The most sought-after locations for retirees in South Africa are the major urban centres, including Cape Town and Johannesburg.
These cities boast substantial expatriate retiree communities, especially from the United Kingdom.
Additionally, there are other slightly more economical options with significant expat retirement populations, such as the Garden District along the southeast coast, Durban, Knysna, Krugersdorp, and Sedgefield.
South Africa also features numerous retirement villages, with those in Cape Town being particularly popular among foreign retirees.
South Africa is a popular retirement destination, largely due to its warm climates, picturesque landscapes, and affordable living costs.
However, many immigration specialists - including SA Migration - highlight the main reason as the standard of living.
Immigrants choose South Africa as their chosen retirement destination because their euros and dollars afford them a better lifestyle and a cheaper cost of living.
Integrate Immigration noted that a major draw for foreigners is house prices and affordable household support.
Household support refers to the common practice of employing a domestic worker and gardener, which is considerably cheaper than in first-world countries. This helps older retirees with maintenance.
Economist Dawie Roodt agrees, saying South Africa is an exciting place to live and far more affordable than most developed countries.
Commenting after his visit to New Zealand, he said he would never leave South Africa.
“South Africa is a very special place. The first thing I did after returning from New Zealand was to buy a proper steak for a third of the price,” he said.
However, despite the positives, Roodt emphasised to those considering staying in South Africa the importance of careful future planning and awareness of the country’s risks.
He said that South Africa is a dangerous place with many inherent risks that must be identified and managed.
Additionally, Roodt suggested that individuals can still appreciate the country’s favourable climate, cuisine, familial bonds, and friendships by adhering to a few fundamental guidelines, with safety being of utmost importance.
This may entail residing in a secure estate and steering clear of precarious situations.
Regarding financial matters, Roodt recommended that South Africans maintain a diversified portfolio, with a significant portion invested internationally.
Overall, Roodt added that foreign retirees choosing South Africa are a very good sign, especially for the economy.
“These individuals are effectively long-term tourists, leading to an increased inflow of capital, and this also supports the exchange rate of the rand,” he said.
Roodt added that South Africa should encourage more of these types of visas and stressed that Home Affairs needs to do better, as the current turnaround for retirement visas is a dismal 12 months.

Surprise increase makes Australian visa application fee among most expensive in the world, as new survey finds rising costs putting prospective students off
International students say the Australian government is making them feel like “cash cows” and sending a clear message they are unwelcome after home affairs more than doubled the price of visa applications overnight.
The non-refundable visa fee rose from $710 to $1,600 without prior warning on Monday, making it one of the most expensive in the world and well in excess of competitors New Zealand (A$343), Canada (A$164), the UK (A$932) and the US (A$277).
The rise follows a series of migration reforms including a prospective cap on foreign enrolments that research suggests may dissuade prospective students from choosing Australia as a study destination.
Education officer at the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association, Weihong Liang, says students were “shocked” by the dramatic increase in visa fees - and the short notice that was provided.
“Students plan their studies several months in advance,” Liang, who is also a Chinese international student, said. “These sudden changes have forced those who decided to come here around July to swallow a bitter pill.
“They have to bear the additional costs, or else all their preparations will be in vain.”
The minister for education, Jason Clare, said the rise reflected the increased value of education in Australia and would be directed towards higher education initiatives.
“These changes will strengthen integrity in the international education system and help to fund important reforms recommended by the Universities Accord,” he said.
But Liang said the fee change, coupled with other recent reforms, including adjustments to visa requirements and the international student cap, had sent the international community a “clear message” from the Australian government.
“They are extremely unwelcoming to international students,” he said.
“It is an unfair practice, exploiting the students who plan to study in Australia. This message will soon to be shared to a wider, global community, issuing warnings and advisories to more students from experiencing such harsh treatment.”
Weihong Liang, education officer at the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association, says the federal government is sending a clear message to international students that they’re not welcome. Photograph: Supplied
A survey commissioned by IDP Education and provided to Guardian Australia found 62.5% of prospective students would be put off from studying in Australia if there was a significant increase to visa fees.
The survey, which received more than 1,400 responses last month, found 22% would choose another study destination if Australia’s visa became the most expensive in the world, while 40.6% would reconsider their options.
Director of partnerships and stakeholder engagement at IDP Connect, Joanna Storti, said there was “no question” there will be a decline in students applying to study in Australia.
“Quality students can also be very price conscious students, and a 125% increase overnight is a big leap of faith for visa applicants when grant rates are unpredictable right now,” she said.
“Markets are becoming increasingly price sensitive and Australia is now the most expensive by far. This will potentially provide pause.”
Storti noted the change comes amid a decline in Australia’s global rankings, dropping from equal first preferred study destination with Canada in IDP’s research last October to second place this year.
“International students are very tuned in to political debate and are attracted to destinations they feel welcome and valued,” she says.
“We’re quite concerned this visa increase sends a negative message about Australia, and students vote with their feet.”
Recent masters graduate, Julia Khadka, who comes from Nepal, said the previous fee of $710 was already a “significant financial burden” on Nepalese students.

Nepalese international student Julia Khadka says the increased visa cost could lead to a decline in applications, with Australia becoming ‘out of reach’ for many
“Australia, once a favoured destination, might now be out of reach for many, prompting them to seek more affordable alternatives,” she said.
Khadka says the news has been “particularly discouraging” as it comes during a high visa rejection rate.
The number of student visas granted to Nepalese applicants more than halved in the year to the end of May compared with the same period in the previous year, from 32,758 to just 12,962.
“I feel deeply for those aspiring to study abroad,” Khadka said. “Everything is getting more expensive, and this added financial burden makes it even harder for students to achieve their dreams.”
Jaspreet Gill, a UTS student from Ludhiana, India, recently completed a bachelors degree in biotechnology in Australia and is now pursuing a masters in teaching.
He said he felt grateful to be financially supported by his parents, who take care of his expenses, but was worried for his family and friends who don’t have a similar backing.
“Not every student has my support,” he said. “Some of my friends have taken education loans, I’ve spoken with them and they say it’s an extra financial pressure now to consider Australia.
“It’s going to deter some students. It’s just so high now.”
Devis, a masters student from Nepal who asked not to use his last name, said the visa increase will have a “profound impact” on the financial stability of students applying to study in Australia for the first time or looking to extend.
“This change suggests that the Australian government views international students as cash cows,” he said.
“International students face significant discrimination compared to other visa holders.”

Bank of America (BofA) has welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s reappointment, believing that South Africa’s GDP could start improving in the next few years and “turn the corner” in 2026 amid an enhanced performance from Eskom.

Following the 2024 election, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a Government of National Unity (GNU) as the ANC lost its majority in parliament.

Ten other parties have joined the GNU: DA, IFP, Good, PA, FF Plus, UDM, Rise Mzansi, PAC, Al-Jama Ah, and UAT.

Thus, the president included several of these parties in his cabinet, which increased from 30 to 32 to accommodate the new faces.

The markets have responded positively to the retention of the ANC’s Godongwana.

BofA said that Godongwana’s fiscal plan could benefit from potentially strong growth due to reduced levels of load shedding.

The government expects a main budget deficit of 4.3% of GDP in 2024/25 (BofA: 4.5%) and 3.9% in 2025 (BofA: 4.1%)

When including Eskom’s debt support, BofA’s all-in deficit is at 5.4% in 2024/25 and 4% in 2026/27.

During the 2023 Budget, Godongwana announced Eskom debt relief amounting to R254 billion from 2023/24 to 2025/2026.

BofA said that 2026 could be a turning point as Eskom will need no further support, leading to enough of a primary surplus to ensure debt stabilisation. (a year later than Treasury’s baseline).

Load shedding

Better electricity supply should also drive GDP growth stronger and result in better tax revenues.

Electricity supply has improved since April, with over 100 days of no load shedding in the country - the first time since 2021.

The enhanced power supply could represent a significant structural improvement if sustained for the rest of the year.

This could drive GDP growth towards 2% over the medium term.

“Stronger GDP growth should drive budget revenue growth higher. An improving fiscal outlook will likely result in tighter asset swap spreads over the medium term,” said BofA.

However, South Africa’s economy is not expected to shoot the lights out in the short term.

BofA economist Tatonga Rusike previously said that GDP should grow by 1.3% in 2024.

Other economists and analysts generally expect GDP to grow by roughly 1%.

Although this would be an improvement from 2023’s GDP growth of 0.6%, it is still incredibly low and far below what the country needs to keep up with population growth.

South Africa’s population growth generally hovers around 1.5%, meaning that anything below that figure represents a per-capita recession, meaning South Africans are getting poorer.

What to do

Amidst the low-growth environment, several prominent CEOs in South Africa recently spoke of what the country needs to do.

Discovery CEO Adrian Gore said that the Presidential task team Operation Vulindlela should have a unit focused on economic growth and jobs.

Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala said that the state needs to be incapacitated and work with civil society and business to drive growth.

Tshabalala said that the Public Service Amendment Bill should be accelerated. This bill would introduce transparent and competitive recruitment processes in the public service, improve pay, and increase civil servants’ status.

Investec Bank CEO Cumesh Moodliar also called for greater public-private partnerships (PPPs), with a focus on logistics amid South Africa’s poor-performing ports and railroads

South Africa`s new Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber’s focus on remote working visas has been met with widespread enthusiasm.

He aims to attract digital nomads and remote workers from around the globe, positioning South Africa as a prime destination for professionals seeking a balance of work and leisure.

The Home Affairs Minister has expressed his commitment to making South Africa a more accessible and appealing location for remote workers.

Dr Schreiber emphasised the potential economic benefits and the opportunity to showcase the country`s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture to a broader audience.

`Remote working is not just a trend; it`s a transformation in how we live and work,` he said.

`By facilitating easier access for remote workers, we are opening doors to economic growth, tourism, and cultural exchange.`

The push for remote working visas aligns with global shifts in work culture, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Countries worldwide are recognising the value of attracting remote workers who contribute to local economies while enjoying the benefits of a flexible work environment.

South Africa`s appeal to remote workers lies not only in its diverse attractions, but also in its infrastructure and connectivity. The country offers a range of environments conducive to both productivity and relaxation.

Industry experts have applauded the minister`s initiative, highlighting the potential for South Africa to become a leading destination for digital nomads.

`This focus on remote working visas is a game-changer,` said a representative from the South African Tourism Board.

`It showcases our commitment to innovation and adaptability in an ever-changing world.`

As South Africa gears up to implement these changes, remote workers can look forward to a welcoming environment that supports their lifestyle and professional needs.

The new visa policies are expected to streamline the process, making it easier for digital nomads to live and work in South Africa for extended periods.