HSF makes application to protect ZEP holders pending the conclusion of Government appeal process
4 September 2023
The Helen Suzman Foundation has been compelled to bring an application in order to safeguard the integrity of the judgment finding that the termination of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) was unlawful and invalid.
The Minister of Home Affairs seeks now to appeal that judgment. In the ordinary course the leave to appeal process suspends the operation of the underlying order. In this case the risk arises that the expiry date of the ZEP could be run down by running out the appeal process – meaning that there would be no real relief to be granted ZEP holders if that is the Courts’ ultimate determination.
HSF approached the Minister asking that he agree to observe the protections extended ZEP holders pending the conclusion of the appeal process. This was refused. It is on this basis that HSF approaches the court.
Shadowy organisations now seek deliberately to misrepresent the HSF’s application – misrepresentations that began circulating online, surprisingly, less than one day after HSF had filed its papers with the parties. These deliberate misrepresentations are more than mischievous. They look to endanger the staff of HSF, all of whom are South African.