On 1 December 2023, the former Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, announced his decision to grant an exemption to foreign nationals in possession of either a Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) or a Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP). All ZEP and LEP holders are accordingly allowed to continue working and residing in South Africa until at least 29 November 2024, unless they obtain new exemption permits that will allow them to reside and work in South Africa as if they were permanent residents until 29 November 2025. Lerato Mbele was joined by Ashraf Essop, immigration law expert and Zehir Omar,  Lawyer from the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution, Zehir Attorneys.