A bogus home affairs employee was arrested in Secunda for allegedly colluding with two Ethiopian nationals in passport fraud and theft, the Mpumalanga Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks) said. The arrest comes after a tip-off was received that Lindiwe Kubheka, 45, was allegedly working with two Ethiopian nationals, Abdo Mustefu Musa, 44, and Mike Alex Abete, 38, to stamp expired passports. Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said after the information was received, an undercover operation was initiated and Abete was paid R20,000 to stamp expired passports. “An agreement was reached for the collection of the stamped passports but Abete did not honour the agreement,” said Sekgotodi. “A warrant of arrest as well as a search-and-seizure were authorised then subsequently executed on Monday, September 16, 2024.” Sekgotodi said that during the search, police found a large amount of documents from the department of home affairs as well as the department of transport. “The documents will be handed to the departments for analysis.” During questioning, Abete disclosed that the R20,000 and passports were given to Musa and when Musa was approached, he admitted to receiving passports and R5,000 from Abete which he then handed to Kubheka. Kubheka was approached and she told police that she only received passports and R2,500. “The team conducted a search and seizure operation and three passports were found as well as seized,” said Sekgotodi. Sekgotodi said the trio appeared before the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court at Elukwatini on Tuesday and were released on R3,000 bail each.

Two siblings have been summoned to court over forged documents Free State cracks down on illegal immigration in the province. The Free State spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said that the siblings appeared to court on September 10, in connection with unlawful possession of South African identity documents and contravention of the Immigration Act.

The suspects were arrested in King Street, Dagbreek near Welkom with South African identity documents which were believed to have been acquired through fake documents.

An investigation by the illicit Mining Team with the assistance of police and immigration officers found that the suspects allegedly falsified personal information at Home Affairs, in order to get the documents.

More research showed that the two suspects had foreign travel documents and used emergency passports.

“It was also discovered that they had foreign travel documents and used emergency passports to enter and leave the Republic of South Africa during 2006,” Covane said.

This case is one in a series of measures against illegal immigrants in the Free State.

The police and other law enforcement agencies have arrested a total of 29 people during this month for similar infringements under Operation Vala Umgodi.

The Short Answer:
Genetic testing can be conducted through the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) or a private DNA testing company.

 

The Long Answer:
If your mother is from Lesotho and your late father was South African, you may need to undergo a DNA test to support your application for a South African ID. According to current law, if you were born outside South Africa and one of your parents is South African, you may claim citizenship by descent, provided your birth was registered.

Citizenship in South Africa can be obtained through birth, descent, or naturalization. Since your father was South African, you may qualify for citizenship by birth, but you will need a birth certificate to apply.

If your birth was not registered within 30 days, you will need to apply for a late birth registration. This process can be complex and involves an interview with Home Affairs, which may have a long waiting period due to backlogs. Required documents include:

• DHA 24/LRB (Notice of Birth)
• Proof of birth (DHA 24/PB or DHA 24PBA)
• Affidavit explaining the reasons for late registration (DHA 288/A)
• Biometrics (ID-sized photo and fingerprint)
• Fingerprints of parent(s)
• ID/Passport of parent(s)

For inquiries about birth certificates, you can reach the Department of Home Affairs at:

• Hotline: 0800 60 11 90
• Email: hacc@dha.gov.za

Regarding the DNA test, every individual inherits half of their DNA from each parent. If your father has passed away, you may consider testing siblings or relatives, as this can help confirm your biological connection to him.

DNA Testing Options:

1. National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS): Testing is available at various sampling centers across the country. The cost is approximately R1,200 per person.
2. Private Companies: Legal DNA tests are essential for citizenship applications. For example:

• GENEdiagnostics: Charges R1,932 per person for a legal kinship test.
• EasyDNA: Offers DNA testing at around R4,795, ensuring compliance with the required chain of custody.

Key Steps for Legal DNA Testing:

1. Ordering: Request a DNA sample kit from the testing company.
2. Sample Collection: A neutral third party, such as a medical professional, must collect the samples.
3. Documentation: Bring identification and passport-sized photos for verification.
4. Chain of Custody: Ensure that the testing company follows strict procedures to maintain the integrity of the results.

To book an appointment with Home Affairs, please visit dha.gov.za and access the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS).

 

To prevent Australians and permanent residents from facing disadvantages in employment opportunities, Australia has opted to strengthen certain regulations regarding its temporary work visa, specifically the subclass 400 Short Stay Specialist visa
The Australian government will now examine the applications for temporary work visas more thoroughly, as per reports.
By investigating applications from different angles, the Department wants to ensure that this type of visa is not being used as an unauthorized alternative to the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa – subclass 481, VisaGuide.World reports.
Moreover, under the new rules, foreigners who apply for a temporary work visa with a duration of six months will have it harder to obtain the document, the report says.
Although the six-month temporary work visa will not be discontinued, the authorities stressed that such applications will be considered only in exceptional circumstances when a worker must stay within the territory of Australia for more than three months within a 12-month period.
Australia said that these applications will be evaluated under strict rules, suggesting that only a small proportion of applicants will be able to obtain the document.
As part of its changes, the Australian authorities explained that temporary work visa holders will now be allowed to stay within the country’s territory for a maximum of three months within a year, says the Visa Guide report.
The three-month period starts counting once the visa holder enters Australia and does not permit returns and revisits over the 12-month period, the report adds.
“This means that as soon as a temporary work visa holder leaves Australia, they will not be permitted to enter the country again, even if they have not stayed for three months in the country.”

Overstay Appeal in South Africa

The Short Answer:

If you’ve been banned from South Africa due to overstaying, writing an effective appeal letter can help overturn the ban. Ensure your appeal is based on valid reasons and supported by evidence. Submit the appeal along with the necessary documents to the Department of Home Affairs.

The Long Answer:

If you’ve been banned from South Africa for overstaying, you have the option to appeal the ban by submitting a well-crafted overstay appeal letter. The success of your appeal will depend on the strength of your reasons for overstaying and the supporting documents you provide.

Consequences of Overstaying:
An overstay of less than 30 days results in a 12-month ban, while an overstay exceeding 30 days leads to a 5-year ban. It’s essential to understand these penalties before proceeding with your appeal.

Required Documents:

• Overstay appeal letter
• Copy of your declaration of undesirability (form 19)
• Passport bio page and relevant stamps
• Medical certificate (if your overstay was due to health reasons)

Your letter should begin by introducing yourself, including your name, passport details, and the circumstances that led to your ban. Clearly explain the reasons for your overstay, providing supporting evidence such as medical bills if applicable. Finally, request the overturn of the ban, demonstrating your respect for South African law and your intention to comply with immigration requirements.

Submission:
Email your completed appeal to overstayappeals@dha.gov.za and confirm its receipt by contacting IMS Deportations at 012 406 4985.

The Department of Home Affairs typically takes 1 to 3 months to process appeals, so it's important to follow up regularly. If this process feels overwhelming, seek help from immigration consultants who can guide you through the steps and ensure your appeal has the best chance of success.