Duty-free for Zimbabweans returning from SA after ZEP expiration

Zimbabweans who are returning back home from South Africa after the expiration of the Zimbabwe Exempt Permit (ZEP) will be entitled to one-duty free vehicle and no limits on personal property.

This was revealed by Information and Publicity Minister Monica Mutsvangwa during post cabinet briefing yesterday.

She said a Committee on ZEP will be supported by sub- committees which will include, Transport and logistics ministry, Security, Documentation; Re-integration support; Resource mobilsation; Information and publicity; as well as Health and education.

About 178 000 Zimbabweans are under the ZEP, which lapsed on 31 December 2021.

The South African government then issued a 12-month grace period to December 2022 for ZEP holders to either apply for another type of permit or leave the country.

In September this year, the SA Government extended the permit to June 2023, because, according to the Department of Home Affairs, only about 6 000 permit holders had approached the department seeking a waiver.

Meanwhile, cabinet also adopted the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (Compliance, Monitoring and Evaluation) Regulations, 2022.

The Regulations will institute administrative penalties against public entities and individuals who are abusing the relevant procurement processes.