Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) was introduced by the South African government in 2009 to shelter Zimbabweans fleeing the crisis in their country.
ZEP visa allows Zimbabwean immigrants to live and work in South Africa for 5 years. Last year the South African government decided to terminate the ZEP visa for 178 000 Zimbabweans who have been living in South Africa for decades.
This prompted some human rights organisations to challenge the Cabinet decision in court.