South Africa's highest appeals court rejected the Home Affairs Minister's challenge against Zimbabwe Exemption Permits. The permits help around 180,000 Zimbabweans live and work legally across South Africa. Friday's court decision allows the Zimbabwean Immigration Federation to argue that only Parliament can end these special permits. The group believes government ministers lack power to cancel permits affecting constitutional rights. Court officials must decide whether lawmakers need to vote before removing legal protections.
Judge David Unterhalter said the federation raised different legal questions than previous cases. The Minister claimed the federation's case was unnecessary because courts already ruled on similar issues. Appeals judges disagreed and said the immigration group deserves their day in court. The Johannesburg High Court previously blocked former Minister Aaron Motsoaledi from ending the permit program. That court ordered officials to follow proper legal procedures before making permit decisions.
The Zimbabwean Immigration Federation wants Parliament to control any changes to permit rules. Federation lawyers argue that constitutional rights require legislative approval rather than administrative decisions. The Helen Suzman Foundation also fought the permit cancellation through different legal arguments. Both groups won their separate court challenges against government efforts to end the program. Appeals court judges said each case presented unique legal issues requiring individual consideration.
Judge David Unterhalter said the federation raised different legal questions than previous cases. The Minister claimed the federation's case was unnecessary because courts already ruled on similar issues. Appeals judges disagreed and said the immigration group deserves their day in court. The Johannesburg High Court previously blocked former Minister Aaron Motsoaledi from ending the permit program. That court ordered officials to follow proper legal procedures before making permit decisions.
The Zimbabwean Immigration Federation wants Parliament to control any changes to permit rules. Federation lawyers argue that constitutional rights require legislative approval rather than administrative decisions. The Helen Suzman Foundation also fought the permit cancellation through different legal arguments. Both groups won their separate court challenges against government efforts to end the program. Appeals court judges said each case presented unique legal issues requiring individual consideration.
