By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, allayed fears that tourists were being chased away from South Africa due to expired visa documents.
Motsoaledi on Sunday held a media briefing in Pretoria regarding immigration related matters.
In particular, the minister spoke on the circular that was issued by his department in December 2023.
The circular sparked public outrage, with Home Affairs being accused of risking the collapse the tourism industry.
He said the internal circular directed to the commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), managers of ports of entries, the provincial inspectorate and visa facilitation centres was not even necessary as it was already law and nothing new.
“I conceded it was an unfortunate circular which should not have been issued … matters it was trying to clarify could have easily been addressed in the normal course operations between the two entities.
“The concept of declaring people undesirable, the word is perhaps unfortunate as it sounds scary but it is the term used by the Immigration Act of 2002 enacted in Parliament and it appears in the Immigration Act 30 of 2002 as well.”
Given that his department understood that there could be delays with exiting the country within the allocated days, Motsoaledi said the receipt issued to tourists upon applying for an extension would act as an extension of their visa until such time they had received a response from the department.
“This means no law enforcement officer, immigration or officials at the ports of entry may trouble you while you are carrying this type of receipt.”
Motsoaledi also highlighted reports of Kudakwashe Mpofu, who was fighting tooth and nail to stop the Department of Home Affairs from deporting him to Zimbabwe.
The minister said it was an embarrassment that Mpofu had not only obtained fraudulent documents but also managed to obtain employment within an entity dealing with public funds.
As for the court challenge, he said his department could confirm that the permit reference number appearing on Mpofu’s documents did not exist in their systems. In addition, the control number appearing on his document was not issued by the department to him but rather legitimately issued to another individual.
“As to how Mpofu came across that control number we do not know. It is a matter that will be investigated later.”
This challenge by Mpofu has however raised in a number of questions about the work of the department in responding to court challenges. Also, how these discrepancies came about. For this reason the minister said the case had been handed over to the Special Investigative Unit (SIU).
“When we were accused of doing nothing about the people crossing our borders, I told the country that people want us to chase lizards while crocodiles are abundant.
“Crocodiles are respectable people who enter the country legally wearing suits or high heels carrying briefcases full of cash to bribe officials to legalise their stay in the country.
The SIU is already investigate visa issues within the department after a proclamation was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa last month.
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