Despite the South African Department of Home Affairs extending the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) system until November 2025, some South African banks are reportedly continuing to freeze the accounts of ZEP holders, preventing them from accessing their funds, <a href="https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/zep-holders-face-uncertainty-as-some-bank-accounts-are-frozen/">reported Moneyweb</a>.
ZEP permits allow Zimbabweans to live and work in South Africa.
Human rights lawyer Simba Chitando, representing the ZEP Holders Association, attributes these account freezes to a systemic error within the banks rather than deliberate discrimination. Said Chitando:
<blockquote>
We urge the banks to address this issue urgently and unblock these accounts so that we can avoid having to go to court to force them to do it.
</blockquote>
While many Capitec bank accounts belonging to ZEP holders were recently frozen, the bank swiftly responded, saying the issue was a system error now resolved. Most affected people received no prior notification.
This incident follows confusion earlier in 2024, when the First National Bank (FNB) sent text messages urging ZEP holders to renew their permits, leading many to believe they needed to apply for waivers or work visas.
Soon after, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber issued a one-year ZEP extension.
Despite the extension, ZEP holders remain uncertain about their banking access beyond 2025 unless they secure alternative visas.
Chitando said the bank freezes stemmed from banks not updating their systems to reflect the ZEP extension.
Affected ZEP holders are advised to visit their banks with copies of their IDs/passports and a printout of the government gazette extending ZEP validity. Said Chitando:
<blockquote>
The ball is in the court of the ZEP holders. If the banks refuse, only then can we consider legal action.
</blockquote>
The account freezes sparked widespread panic within the ZEP community. Essential transactions, including payments for food, school fees, and other necessities, were disrupted, leaving many struggling to meet their basic needs. Said Chitando:
<blockquote>
If the banks do not remove the hold, we will approach the courts. We can’t go [to] the courts without exhausting other remedies. It’s an issue that affects all the banks.
Obviously, it would be preferable for the banks to fix this situation themselves without forcing ZEP holders to approach the banks, which could involve thousands of customers.
</blockquote>
Moneyweb contacted FNB for comment, receiving the following statement from Stanton Govender, Head of Foreign Nationals and Non-Resident Banking:
<blockquote>
FNB has noted the announcement from the Department of Home Affairs to extend the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) deadline to 28 November 2025. The bank is in the process of assessing any impact to customers and any updates will be communicated to them.
We are committed to helping our customers to ensure that their bank accounts are used and managed in accordance with the relevant laws and complying with the latest announcement.
Our customers can also contact us directly if they have any questions or need assistance with their bank accounts.
</blockquote>
Nedbank confirmed it was investigating the issue but had not provided a response to Moneyweb by the time of publication.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Despite extending the ZEP system, some South African banks are still freezing the accounts of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders, stopping them from getting their money. A lawyer says it's a mistake, not on purpose. Capitec bank quickly fixed the issue for its customers. FNB earlier confused people about renewing permits, causing more problems. ZEP holders are worried about their bank access after 2025. People are struggling without their money for important things like food and school fees. The lawyer says they might have to go to court if the banks don't fix it. One bank is looking into the issue.

System Error Blamed For Continued ZEP Holders' Bank Accounts Freezes

Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) holders have found their Capitec bank accounts in South Africa closed, leaving many uncertain about their financial future.
According to Ngqabutho Mabhena, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, the closure of accounts has impacted many Zimbabweans living in South Africa, who rely on these accounts for day-to-day financial transactions and remittances to their families in Zimbabwe.
On November 28, 2024, just as the ZEP was set to expire, South African Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced that the validity of the permits would be extended for an additional 12 months, until November 28, 2025.
This decision provided relief to thousands of Zimbabweans living in South Africa under the ZEP status, allowing them more time to adjust their status or make alternative arrangements.
Despite the government’s extension of the ZEP validity, the closure of bank accounts has raised questions about the interpretation of the extension and the treatment of Zimbabweans living in South Africa.
In his statement, Mabhena called on permit holders to take directive 15 of 2024 to their branches so they can receive assistance.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Capitec Bank in South Africa closed the bank accounts of Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders. This has affected many Zimbabweans who rely on these accounts for money transactions. The South African government extended the ZEP validity for 12 months, giving relief to those affected. Despite this, the closure of bank accounts is causing confusion. The chairperson of the Zimbabwean Community in South Africa, Ngqabutho Mabhena, is urging permit holders to go to their bank branches for help. Many Zimbabweans are worried about their financial future due to this situation.

Capitec Bank Closes Bank Accounts Of ZEP Holders

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) says it has frozen bank accounts of 11 companies for exchange control violations.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/rbz-censures-11-defiant-firms">The Sunday Mail</a>, FIU director-general Oliver Chiperesa said some of the entities were trading exclusively in US dollars and refusing to transact in the new currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). Said Chiperesa:
<blockquote>
We froze bank accounts belonging to 11 entities, either for exchange rate violations or for trading exclusively in US dollars and refused to accept ZiG.
We have started to take tough measures to send a strong message to those who are bent on undermining the new currency.
The special operation is ongoing and we are rolling it out countrywide, targeting all major trading centres.
</blockquote>
He warned companies allegedly refusing to accept the ZiG under the pretext of reconfiguring their accounting systems, saying they have been given enough time to do so.
Chiperesa said that rather than allow those firms to trade exclusively in US dollars, FIU will stop them from trading altogether until they have configured their systems.
Speaking in a separate interview with The Sunday Mail, Central Bank Governor John Mushayavanhu warned companies insisting on trading exclusively in United States dollars they will face sanctions. He said:
<blockquote>
The FIU goes out into the market to monitor corporates as they trade.
ZiG is legal tender and shops, companies and businesses should invoice their goods in either ZiG or US dollars because we are operating in a multi-currency system.
But where we see companies refusing to accept ZiG, obviously the FIU is bound to take action.
Such action includes freezing accounts, and also some corporates may be fined.
</blockquote>
The ZiG currency, which is said to be backed by gold and other precious metals, was introduced on 05 April to stabilise the volatile exchange rate. 
However, traders still prefer United States dollars and most of those who accept ZiG payments use a rate significantly different from the official rate.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Financial Intelligence Unit Sanctions 11 Companies For Refusing ZiG Payments

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) says it has frozen additional bank accounts of companies and individuals for allegedly participating in fuelling the exchange rate on the parallel market.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/16-bank-accounts-frozen-in-rbz-price-blitz-overpricing-shops-penalised/">State media</a> on Saturday, FIU director-general Oliver Chiperesa said that penalties for the offenders will be issued to them this week. He said:
<blockquote>
This past week we also froze an additional six bank accounts of traders who were also violating the regulations relating to the prescribed rates that must be used by traders and penalties will be issued to them this week.
The penalties are usually in the form of fines and as we said before repeated offenders will end up being recommended for cancellation of their trading licences.
We have also frozen the accounts of 10 individuals and companies who were involved in the parallel market.
They are not necessarily traders but they are companies in various sectors as well as individuals whom we traced their transactions and found that they were participating in fuelling the exchange rate on the parallel market.
Again, we will issue them with penalties in the course of the coming week.
</blockquote>
Chiperesa claimed that the black market rate is now starting to stabilise in response to measures and policies announced by the Government over the past few weeks. He said:
<blockquote>
We have witnessed that for the first time in the last five or six weeks, the black market rate is now starting to stabilise because of the effectiveness of the policies that have been put in place which we are supporting as the FIU by making sure that those who destabilise the foreign exchange are dealt with severely in terms of the law.
</blockquote>
On Friday, the street rate was hovering around ZWL$9 000, while the official rate last week stood at US$1: ZW$5 900.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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