A controversial R380 million biometric system at airports across the country is causing chaos, delays and frustration amongst passengers and airport staff.
`This system is not working. It keeps crashing and passengers are missing flights as they wait in long queues to get through our immigration check point. When we tried to raise this, we are told by the commander-in-chief that he doesn`t want to lose his job because this system cost millions. So we have to look at passengers who think we are incompetent and don’t know how to use the system,` an immigration worker at one of the airports told IOL.
The biometric system, awarded to French company, Idemia, is also being challenged by South African company, InfoVerge.
A wholly black-owned company, InfoVerge, claims it was unfairly used as a BEE partner by Idemia to secure the tender - and then left out once the tender was awarded to Idemia. It is now asking for a full review of the contract awarded to Idemia.
Additionally, the glitches and failure of the system to live up to its claim to offer a more seamless process for passengers has caused further embarrassment for Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).
An IOL investigation witnessed passengers waiting in long queues to get through passport control at King Shaka Airport. During this time, an airports official walked around, apologising for the delay, blaming staff for not understanding the new system.
`They are doing practical training and are not used to the system,` whispered the official, as frustrated passengers tried hard to remain calm after arriving from long international flights.
Approached for comment, ACSA acknowledged there were problems with the system, but said it was preparing to roll out a new fool proof technology solution in November this year.
`The project has provided ACSA with extensive data analytics on immigration and emigration processes. ACSA will also be leveraging facial recognition technology as part of our biometric-based border control systems to streamline immigration processes, reduce transaction times, and enhance security. While the initial pilot project did not meet the expected throughput due to passenger anxiety and unfamiliarity, we are working on addressing this challenge through comprehensive passenger education and delivery of the new system,` added ACSA in its response.

Nationals from South Africa will have one less country allowing unrestricted entry to SA passport holders from next year.
Passport holders from South Africa are set to face more entry restrictions.
Image by Tyler Leigh Vivier/Pexels
Passport holders from South Africa are set to face more entry restrictions.
SA passport holders will no longer have unrestricted entry to Israel from 1 January 2025.
INCREASED ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
South African passport holders will indeed have to obtain a pre-approved travel authorisation before travelling to the state of Israel.
This effectively means that South Africans need visas for the entire European area around the Mediterranean, including Israel.
ISRAEL IMPOSES ETA
From 1 January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries including South Africa, will be required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA-IL) to enter Israel.
According to TravelNews, the ETA-IL has been open for free voluntary applications since 1 July.
The voluntary pilot programme is in operation to familiarise travellers with the new entry system, ahead of its official launch.
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION
From the beginning of January South African passport holders will be charged ILS 25 (R126) for Israel’s ETA.
This mandatory electronic travel authorisation must be applied for before arrival in Israel.
Countries like Canada and the United States of America have similar entry restrictions for nationals from visa-exempt nations.
ISRAELI ETA APPLICATION
Applications for an ETA-IL should be submitted at least 72 hours before making other travel arrangements, such as booking air tickets and accommodation.
Applicants will receive a response to their application within 72 hours of submission.
The ETA-IL is valid for two years and allows multiple entries of up to 90 days per visit.
IRELAND REVOKES UNRESTRICTED ENTRY FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Israel’s new entry requirement comes hot on the heels of South African passport holders losing visa-free entry for Ireland.
South African passport holders are now required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. This requirement came into place on Wednesday 10 July.
Furthermore, transit visas are also required if SA passport holders intend to transit through Ireland to other destinations.
REASONS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
The scrapping of visa-free travel arrangements for Ireland comes after alleged abuse of the arrangement by individuals entering Ireland seeking protection.
Ireland had warned in April that it would be reviewing entry requirements for nationals from South Africa. The review thus led to revised entry restrictions for nationals from South Africa being imposed.
In addition, Ireland claims that the introduction of the visa requirement brings Ireland in closer alignment with the entry requirements for the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.

My husband and I are both foreigners, but we are Permanent Residents in South Africa. Our daughter was born after October 2014. After one week, we got her an unabridged birth certificate with an ID number. One year later, we went to Home Affairs to apply for a South African passport. We were told that if the child of foreigners was born after October 2014, even if they are Permanent Residents, it means that the child is not automatically born as a South African citizen. But since they already granted my daughter an ID number on her birth certificate, we could still apply for a South African passport for her. We got her first South African passport in 2015.

Her passport would have expired in six months, so we went to Home Affairs again to renew her passport. But this time they rejected us and gave the reason that my daughter's birth date is after October 2014, meaning that they will no longer give her a South African passport. We were told that even if she has an ID number on her birth certificate, she will not be granted an ID when she turns 16 years old. We were advised to apply for her passport in our original country's embassy. But the embassy also rejected my daughter's passport application, since our country doesn't admit dual nationalities.

Now, we have no idea what is the next step is, since both sides are not admitting her nationality. What can we do?

The long answer

As you know, the amendments to the Citizenship Act which came into force in 2014 mean that your daughter is no longer granted permanent residence automatically due to your Permanent Resident (PR) status, but needs a visa to be legal. In terms of the amended law, she can apply for citizenship after she turns 18, provided that she has lived in South Africa all her life and her birth has been officially registered.

As you say, your original country also refuses to give her a passport since she has a South African ID number, and neither country allows dual nationality.

Given that her passport is due to expire shortly, it would be best to get legal help from one of the organisations which have a lot of experience in dealing with Home Affairs, which is so often difficult and unhelpful.

Here are the contact details of organisations which you could approach for assistance

Can a non-South African write Grade 12 exams?

The short answer 

Yes, as long as you have some kind of proof of identity. 

The whole question

Is it possible for me to write my Grade 12 exams even though I am not a South African citizen? What do I need for this to be allowed?

The long answer

Yes, you can.

This is because of a very important court case in the Eastern Cape in 2019 in the Makhanda High Court. Judge Selby Mbenenge said that all children had the right to basic education in terms of Section 29 of the Constitution, whether they had official documentation or not.

He found that clauses 15 and 21 of the Schools Admission Policy for Ordinary Public Schools of 1998 were unconstitutional:

Clause 15 said that a parent had to give the school an official birt…

I'm pregnant. What visa options are available to let my boyfriend stay in SA longer than three months?

The short answer 

He could apply for a number of visas: work, critical skills, life partner or (eventually) a relative visa 

The whole question

I have been in a relationship with my Serbian boyfriend for almost two years now. We recently found out that I am pregnant. Although we are not quite ready for marriage yet, we would love to raise our child together. What options do we have in terms of him coming to stay in South Africa for longer than three months at a time on a tourist visa?

The long answer

There are a number of visas that he could apply for, including a work visa, a critical skills visa, a life partner visa or a relative visa. Given the pandemic,…

What can I do to get Home Affairs in to unblock my ID?

A South African woman is fighting for her rights to join her two lovers who are currently in the UK.

Simone Carmen Johnson is part of a polyamorous relationship with two other people.On February 5, Johnson applied for an Unmarried Partner Visa and her application was declined on June 26, citing eligibility relationship requirements under UK immigration rules.

The refusal raised concerns over discrimination and human rights. While unconventional by traditional UK standards, polygamy is legally recognised in SA, and potentially violates Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to family life, and highlights a clash between UK immigration policy and evolving global norms on family structures and LGBTQ+ rights.

In her application to have her UK visa application reconsidered, Johnson said while the refusal letter stated that the relationship does not meet the eligibility relationship requirement, it failed to adequately consider the legality and validity of polygamous marriages and relationships recognised in South Africa.

“The refusal implies a lack of evidence for a genuine and subsisting relationship. This assessment neglects to consider the unique dynamics of polygamous relationships,” the application read.

UK Immigration and British Nationality Senior Manager at Move Up UK Visa Solutions, Gwen Vermeulen, told IOL that their refusal not only tears apart a loving family, but also raises troubling questions about the UK`s commitment to human rights and equality.

`We are urging the UK Home Office to reconsider this decision and recognise the validity of diverse family structures,` Vermeulen said.

She added that the case has drawn support from human rights organisations and LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that the decision reflects outdated views on family and relationships.

According to Vermeulen, a formal request for reconsideration has been filed, citing legal precedents that support the recognition of foreign marriages and relationships.

`If unsuccessful, an appeal will be lodged with the relevant tribunal,` she added.

Bangladesh is reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap the controversial job-quota system
More than 50 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago.
A total of 778 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh through various land transit points, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday as the neighbouring country continued to reel under deadly clashes over a controversial job-quota system.
Indian missions in Bangladesh are in regular touch with the authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and students, the MEA said.
`Thus far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports,` the ministry said.
Bangladesh is reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap the controversial job-quota system.
More than 50 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago.
ALSO READ: Bangladesh PM Hasina cancels overseas trips as deadly protests escalate
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said the total number of Indian nationals in Bangladesh is estimated to be around 15,000.
The MEA said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and the assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home.
`In coordination with the local authorities, measures are being taken by the High Commission and the Assistant High Commissions to facilitate safe travel to the border crossing points along the India-Bangladesh international border,` it said in a statement.
`The MEA is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and BSF authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens,` it added.
The MEA said the Indian High Commission and assistant high commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance.
Students from Nepal and Bhutan have also been assisted with their crossing into India on request, it said.
`Security escorts have also been arranged, where necessary, for their travel by road during repatriation through select land ports,` the MEA said.
`The High Commission in Dhaka is also coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure uninterrupted flight services to India from Dhaka and Chittagong, which can be used by our nationals to return to home,` it added.