South Africa News

FNB starts Freezing Zimbabweans’ Bank Accounts

The Department of Home Affairs announced that the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit will not be extended.

The Minister had however granted a grace period of 12 months from 31 December 2021 to enable all Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders to apply for a mainstream visa. This grace period ends on 31 December 2022.

The Department of Home Affairs has indicated that all Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders would need to utilise this grace period to apply for a mainstream visa which is in line with the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. Please apply for a mainstream visa.

Seems like First National Bank has cut the grace period as they are already freezing Zimbabweans’ bank accounts. FNB is sending its Zimbabwean account holders messages using the FNB App to ask them for FICA documents.

We received this message from one of the FNB clients and it says his account is already Frozen and he has to contact the number below to unfreeze his account.

For more info contact 0877305799.
Ts and Cs apply.

This is already causing panic among most Zimbabweans who have tried to change their Temporary Visas to the so-called mainstream visa. So many people have now fallen into scams from agents that say they can help them get visas for a ridiculous amount of fees.

Some Zimbabweans have already started packing their things to move back to their country as the living situation in South Africa has been made difficult.

FNBZimbabwean Exemption Permit holder