Permit Renewal taking too long

I app**** for my ZEP permit renewal last year in November but up to now it is not yet out and no feedback whatsoever. I wonder how long does it take to process a permit renewal and now i am stuck because i cannot do anything because they want a valid permit everywhere. I once wrote a review a couple of months back but no response, i paid R1000 for that and now it seems as if it was for free. I am so disappointed because my life cannot move and even travelling is becoming a stress because without the permit they will give me a number of days to stay in SA but i work here. Worse of some people app**** for their permits this year and they received them, which makes me wonder as to what criteria is VFS using? Please help me