Zimbabwean Dispensation, Special and Exemption Permits in South Africa: On Humanitarian Logic, Depoliticisation and Invisibilisation of Migrants

Abstract

Cross-border migration from Zimbabwe to South Africa has existed for a long time. Given this context, the governance of migrants, especially the undocumented Zimbabweans by South Africa, has come to the fore. Starting in 2009, South Africa granted undocumented Zimbabwean migrants Zimbabwean Dispensation Permits, which were replaced by Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permits in 2014. In turn, the Zimbabwean Special Dispensation Permits were replaced by Zimbabwean Exemption Permits in September 2017. Although these are steps in the right direction, the changes in the conditions of these permits demonstrates humanitarian logic, which depoliticises and excludes the affected migrants.