For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: Home Affairs Minister extends ZEP validity; Ramaphosa praises the performances of South Africa’s Olympic and Paralympic teams; And, Mashatile rebukes Solidarity Movement’s ‘unsanctioned’ BELA Act statement

Home Affairs Minister extends ZEP validity

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber today extended the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits until November 28, 2025, to allow time to consult the affected ZEP holders and all other stakeholders on the future of the current dispensation.

The extension was made in terms of the Immigration Act and was gazetted.

In 2022, former Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, decided to terminate the ZEP.

In June 2023 the High Court in Pretoria confirmed that the termination of the ZEP was “unlawful”, and in December, the validity of ZEPs and Lesotho Exemption Permits was extended from November 29, 2023, to November 29, 2024.

Schreiber pointed out that the reactivation of the Immigration Advisory Board is currently underway, and its first task will be to “consider, advise and enable” the steps for compliance with the order of the High Court on the future of the ZEP.

Ramaphosa praises the performances of South Africa’s Olympic and Paralympic teams

President Cyril Ramaphosa said as the country honours its Olympic and Paralympic champions, it must recognise the ongoing work that needs to be done to support athletes with disabilities.

He was speaking during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Medallists’ ceremony, at the Union Buildings today, where he highlighted that the return of South Africa to the Olympic Games after apartheid was an important symbol of the country’s quest for freedom and its commitment to non-racialism and democracy.

He said in every Olympic Games since, the country’s athletes have shown the world that South Africa is capable of producing world-class talent across a variety of sports.

And in every Paralympic Games, the athletes have not only demonstrated their athletic ability but have also challenged perceptions about disability, he added.

He noted that these athletes have proven that physical limitations do not compare to the strength of the human spirit.

And, Mashatile rebukes Solidarity Movement’s ‘unsanctioned’ BELA Act statement

After yesterday’s statement from the Solidarity Movement, which claimed a settlement had been reached with government over the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill dispute, Deputy President Paul Mashatile has denied this.

He stated that the Solidarity Movement’s statement was based on a process that was not part of the official procedure of the Clearing House Mechanism of the Government of National Unity Parties.

The GNU Clearing House Mechanism was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September for the purposes of resolving policy disagreements within the 10-member GNU.

In its joint statement with Solidarity and AfriForum, the Solidarity Movement said that, according to the agreement reached with the Presidency and the Minister of Education, Siviwe Gwarube, the controversial sections in the Bill will no longer be implemented on December 13.

However, Mashatile said his office had heard of the agreement from “informal channels” and that the GNU and its representative parties are still engaged in a process that will be finalised soon.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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