The South African government has sought to reassure holders of Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) regarding the newly implemented points-based system for critical skills and general work visas, addressing fears that the changes were designed to exclude them from the immigration process.Concerns had been raised among ZEP holders that the points-based system could bar them from obtaining mainstream visas, thus undermining the unique status of their permits and similar programs such as the Lesotho Special Dispensation. Gabriel Shumba, legal director at Global Immigration and Legal Consultancy, confirmed that ZEP holders were anxious about potentially losing their status.`The fear that was evident from ZEP holders was that the point system would exclude most of them and bar them from obtaining mainstream visas, thus undermining the special aspect of the ZEP and the Lesotho Special Dispensation,` Shumba stated.However, the South African Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber issued a ministerial immigration directive on Friday to quell these concerns. He emphasized that the Immigration Act mandates the Department of Home Affairs to foster an environment conducive to economic growth by facilitating the employment of necessary foreign labor and allowing entry for exceptionally skilled individuals.Schreiber clarified that any critical skills or general work visas issued before the directive`s signature would remain valid under their existing terms. Additionally, he noted that applications for visa extensions, renewals, or changes in conditions submitted after the notice on the points-based system would be evaluated according to the new criteria.`The partial waiver of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation certificate is applicable only to critical skills work visas and general work visa applications submitted after the directive was signed,` he said.Importantly, Schreiber reassured ZEP holders that the points-based system would not apply to them if they had applied for or were in the process of applying for mainstream critical skills or general work visas. These applications would continue to be processed based on the special dispensation`s terms.Currently, there are approximately 176,000 ZEP holders who have established lives in South Africa, making the government`s assurances crucial for their ongoing residency and employment stability.

The operation led by Home Affairs and supported by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and metro police, focused on verifying the legal status of foreign nationals residing in Durban. The crackdown forms part of a broader national initiative to address unlawful immigration and tighten security measures at a time when the government has vowed to control undocumented migration.Home Affairs Minister praised the effort, noting that it reflects the department commitment to enforcing South African immigration laws. We are determined to ensure that our laws are upheld and that those who reside in our country do so legally he said.According to SAPS spokesperson Col. Thembeka Mbele, the raid was carefully planned following intelligence reports and surveillance of suspected hot spots across Durban. Our officers conducted extensive searches and checked identification documents to verify the legal status of foreign nationals Mbele stated. Those who could not produce valid documentation were immediately taken into custody and will face immigration proceedings.Several foreign nationals were detained on-site and will remain in custody while their cases are processed. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that those without proper documentation will face deportation, while individuals found to have falsified documents could face additional criminal charges.The operation drew mixed reactions from Durban residents with some lauding the authorities` commitment to enforcing immigration laws and others expressing concerns over potential human rights issues. Local community activist Thandiwe Mkhize voiced support for the operation stating Its important for authorities to monitor undocumented migration, as it affects local employment and access to resources. Conversely, immigrant advocacy groups have raised concerns about potential profiling and mistreatment, calling for transparency in the handling of those detained.Legal experts believe the operation highlights the need for South Africa to balance national security with the protection of human rights. While it`s important to uphold immigration laws, it is equally essential to ensure that all detainees are treated fairly and humanely noted immigration lawyer Musa Ndlovu.With immigration reform being a focal point in recent government policy, the Home Affairs department has committed to intensifying operations across the country. As Durbans case progresses, authorities plan to conduct similar operations in other cities, reiterating that those found to be living in South Africa without the necessary documentation will face legal consequences.

Sharpeville resident Mavis Magagula rents out part of her property to a Somali foreign national who operates a spaza shop on the premises.  I have a family to feed and when Abdul Ismail came knocking on my door and asked to start a spaza shop in my yard, I saw an opportunity of making money to feed my family.He has been operating his business here for three years and there have been no issues, Magagula told Sunday World.  Foreign-owned spaza shops are under siege over claims that they sell expired foodstuff. Many communities are outraged over the death of six children after they allegedly ate snacks bought from a spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto, two weeks ago.The Department of Employment and Labour has since, sent inspectors to raid spaza shops for compliance purposes. Many spaza shops like the one on Magagulas property, are run by foreign nationals mostly from Somalia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia.  To many unemployed citizens like Magagula, the rental revenue from the spazas provides a much-needed source of income.  Recent research by Accenture Africa revealed that there are more than 150000 spaza shops across the country, with an estimated market size of R178-billion.  A 2021 report titled South African Township Marketing Report by Roger Wilco found that spaza shops contribute 5.2% to the countrys GDP. According to the Statistics SA’s quarterly labour force survey, the unemployment rate stood at 33,5% during the second quarter of this year.  Even though many communities are up in arms demanding that foreign-owned spaza shops be closed, landlords of these informal businesses are against such a move, saying it will deprive them of income as they get paid for renting out space to shop owners. I find this call from the community demanding that these shops shut down problematic, especially since landlords like me benefit from these people as they pay rent for using our space, said Magagula. Magagulas tenant, Ismail, told Sunday World he was also concerned about the illicit goods sold by some of the spaza shop owners, but pointed out that there is no businessperson who would intentionally sell goods that are harmful to customers. It is a concerning issue that we find ourselves being painted with the same brush as others, while we make sure that we procure goods that are on a high par standard for our customers. Who would want to kill the people who bring business to their enterprises though? Clearly some of us are in this business to provide services to our clients, not to kill them. If there are those who run shops to kill children, then they dont deserve to be in this business, said Ismail. Elsie Mofokeng, also the landlord of a foreign-owned spaza shop in Orange Farm, believes the government should do more to enforce compliance.We have a serious challenge in this country where some foreigners are accused of selling goods harmful to people, said Mofokeng. I have a tenant in my yard. I always tell him that I dont want problems and complaints about his goods If I had the knowledge, I would inspect the veracity of expiry dates on the products he sells.  I urge the labour department to conduct constant -visits to these spaza shops and to have proper inspectors who are not going to be bribed so that they can turn a blind eye when they find expired goods in these spaza shops.We are benefiting as landlords as rent is being paid, but if there are people selling expired goods, then it becomes a problem for all of us, said Mofokeng. Razan Anas, a Pakistani national, believes that some of his countrymen were using illegal ways to procure goods through factories that manufacture illicit goods and that this brings their businesses into disrepute and creates animosity in communities. On Monday, the Department of Health dismissed claims that the government is neglecting the issue of children dying from suspected food poisoning.  The department stated that the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure is currently treating the recent spate of deaths as a national  security threat. These increasing incidents in black communities have led to an unfortunate and unsubstantiated perception that authorities are turning a blind eye to this crisis and seem not to care about whats happening to citizens, said the department in a statement. The department also mentioned that those affected have concluded that the sudden death of children was caused by food poisoning emanating from food sold by foreign-owned spaza shops. In the past weeks, communities of Naledi, Soweto, and Sharpeville in the Vaal went on a rampage forcing foreign-owned spaza shops to be closed and demanded that the owners of these businesses leave their areas.

On Tuesday, the department told Parliaments portfolio committee that a multi-disciplinary committee is unearthing the extent of the rot and ensuring officials face the consequences.CAPE TOWN, The Home Affairs Department says its on a major clampdown on fraud and corruption particularly by foreign nationals attempting to stay in the country.On Tuesday, the department told Parliaments portfolio committee that a multi-disciplinary committee is unearthing the extent of the rot and ensuring officials face the consequences.At least a dozen referrals have been made to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the Special Investigating Unit.The Home Affairs multidisciplinary task team is combing through thousands of applications of all visa types.Investigations have revealed several fraudulent applications have been processed at night or over weekends.At least a fifth of over 51,000 visa applications initially rejected on suspicion of fraud were subsequently approved.These are largely applications for worker, business and spousal permits.Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza brought a team of hired forensic consultants to Parliament. Members of the team are tasked with anti-fraud and prevention strategies.`They are not just there to deal with cleaning up the environment, but to set up systems that will enable us to make sure whatever would have happened in the past does not happen again.`Study visas are also a major category for fraud.Over 3,000 study visas have been converted to critical skills visas under a directive by former Minister Malusi Gigaba before studies have even been completed.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) recently gazetted its White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa 2024 which proposes some massive interventions aimed at boosting tourism, including a specialised police unit for incidents involving tourists.South Africas tourism industry is critical to the countrys economy. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourisms direct and indirect contribution to the countrys GDP was 8.2% in 2023. In terms of job creation, according to WTTC statistics, South Africas tourism sector employed 1.46 million people in 2023 and the sectors contribution is expected to grow to 1.7 million jobs in 2024.Despite its impressive contribution to the South African economy, the tourism sector lags behind relative to its potential, said Minister Patricia de Lille at the conclusion of the Tourism Policy Review.In response, the DoT looked to review the 1996 Tourism White Paper.Stakeholder consultations were held across all nine provinces, involving local and national governments. A public comment period from September 1, 2023, received around 3,500 submissions, which were considered in refining the new Tourism White Paper.According to the DoT the new Tourism White Paper focusses on promoting safety and security; facilitating ease of access; domestic tourism; crises management; promoting transformation; enabling technological developments and recommits to the responsible tourism agenda.One of the provisions in the White Paper that has garnered some debate is relating to safety and security management.The rise in robberies, kidnappings and murders of foreign visitors in recent years has cast a sombre shadow over South Africas tourism sector.South Africas image has been negatively impacted by crime involving tourists and high crime levels reported in the destination broadly read the White Paper.Crime-related concerns negatively impact international tourists desire to visit South Africa and are a deterrent against self-drive domestic tourists.Current responses do not provide for the prompt resolution of crimes against tourists and make insufficient use of technology solutions for increased effectiveness, particularly for high tourist areas and supporting visitors travelling in groups,it added. The White Paper emphasises collaboration among organisations, including law enforcement, to enhance tourist safety by reducing crime and providing visitor information. The sector has partnered with the South African Police Service to develop a Tourism Safety Strategy and a Monitors Programme, involving over 2,000 trained youth who patrol and report incidents at key tourist sites for just under R174 million. The Department of Tourism (DoT) believes more action is needed and, after a long stakeholder engagement process, proposes the following:1.Intelligence-Based Tourist Safety Programme: Create a national, research-driven safety program with stakeholder collaboration and community awareness of tourisms value.2.Active Alignment: Tackle crimes affecting tourists in high-traffic areas through joint efforts of stakeholders, law enforcement, the justice system, private security, and technology.3.Dedicated Tourism Safety Support: Work with law enforcement to investigate the establishment of a specialised police unit focused on preventing and swiftly resolving incidents involving tourists.4.Hygiene Considerations: Integrate hygiene into the tourism safety and security program in collaboration with relevant authorities.Looking specifically at the specialised police unit for tourists, the DoT said that this initiative promises to bolster the safety of both international and domestic tourists while simultaneously addressing the pressing issue of unemployment.However, some critics have argued that these attempts at dedicated tourism police units are futile if the inefficiencies in law enforcement are not addressed and that tourists should not get precedence when it comes to safety.Tourists in South Africa will never be safe, no matter how many of these tourist cops we put on the streets until South Africans are safe. How are ordinary South Africans¦ supposed to feel about yet another specialised unit for special people` tourists? wrote Justice Malala in the Financial Mail.It is cynical in the extreme to even suggest this [and] shows you what this government is about: it is an elite project. Instead of saying I will protect and nurture the young men and women in Khayelitsha, our government thinks it is better to protect tourists.Fix law enforcement for everybody, added Malala.Thats not what we saidHowever, de Lille strongly refutes this characterisation.In an interview with Moneyweb@Midday with Jeremy Maggs, de Lille said that in no way does the Tourism White Paper say that the safety of tourists needs to be regarded more than the safety of all residents.Im on the record, and Ive said many times that the safety and security is the mandate of the police to ensure that all South Africans are safe, including our visitors.De Lille acknowledged the perception that South Africa is not safe for potential tourists. To address this, the department invested R174 million last year and employed 2,300 tourism monitors, collaborating with the private sector. She said that they developed a plan shared with all embassies and consulates in South Africa, as well as missions abroad which aims to reassure potential tourists, yes, come; this is the safety plan that has been put in place because we want people, including South Africans, to feel safe in our own country.The Tourism Minister said that further investigations and consultations are needed, including engagement with the Minister of Police.The proposal that came from one of the people who interacted during the public participation was to say investigate the establishment of a specialised police unit, and thats exactly what I will be doing, said de Lille