I’m not sure what exactly caused this enormous backlog at the Department of Home Affairs.
Only one day in office and the new Minister for Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has made an impact. In his first official act he extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals who are currently awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver and appeal applications, until December 31, 2024.
Finally, some relief for around 145 000 applicants, many married to South Africans, who have been living in limbo and in constant fear of being declared an ‘undesirable.’
I’m not sure what exactly caused this enormous backlog at the Department of Home Affairs.
Clearly, something big went wrong. It is important to acknowledge that there are many extremely hardworking and kind Home Affairs officials.
As far as passport and identity document applications are concerned, the system has somewhat improved with the introduction of an appointment system and some bank branches becoming satellite offices. Nevertheless, the length of the queues remains unacceptable.
Hopefully Minister Schreiber will also be able to sort this out.
He might want to look at the extremely efficient online application system used by Ireland.
I recognise that this will not assist the many South Africans who are not able to use online systems, but at least it would shorten the queues significantly.
I also hope that the minister will now finally do the right thing when it comes to the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).
Introduced in 2009, this permit gave Zimbabweans who were fleeing to South Africa for political or economic reasons, an opportunity to work, study and live here. However, for the last few years the government has been threatening to withdraw these visas.
It is estimated that such a withdrawal could affect over 200 000 Zimbabweans who, unless they can qualify for a normal work visa - something we all know will be nigh impossible given the high standards that the government has introduced for rare skills - will have to return to Zimbabwe.
Many of these Zimbabweans have been here for more than two decades and have married South Africans, who they have children with.
These threats by the government have left them in a state of constant stress and fear.
Almost all democratic countries around the world allow people to apply for permanent residence once they’ve been in that country legally for 60 months.
The previous minister of Home Affairs has argued that this was never the case for those on the ZEP, but the question is: why not? Isn’t it the morally right thing to do - not to mention international jurisprudence?
It is also often argued that Zimbabweans are taking jobs away from South Africans.
It is important to recognise that Zimbabweans contribute greatly to our economy.
Not only do they work hard in professions where employers often struggle to fill positions with South Africans, but they also buy goods here to send back to Zimbabwe.
Of course, there are always those who claim that Zimbabweans are involved in crime.
I have no doubt that some are, but crime is certainly not the prerogative of Zimbabweans.
If people are involved in crime, they must be caught and prosecuted - irrespective of nationality.
Let’s also remember that this is not part of the so-called leaky borders issue, where people enter South Africa without valid permits.
These are people who legally applied to be here through a scheme that the government voluntarily introduced.
Last year, after facing a litany of litigation the previous minister of Home Affairs extended the permits until 29 November 2025.
That was good, but this issue needs to be sorted once and for all.
Ultimately, this is an issue about compassion.
Zimbabwe might be a bit more politically stable today, but it remains a country of political persecution and massive economic hardship.
To force almost 200 000 people to go back there is inhumane and cruel and will result in devastating suffering not only for those returning, but the extended families they support.
It will also leave thousands of South African employers without workers who they have come to rely on.
I wish Minister Schreiber well. He was certainly handed a poisoned chalice, but if he improves the efficiency and humaneness of the Department of Home Affairs, he will not only contribute to the economy, but also become the hero of South Africans and foreigners alike.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber plans to boost inspections by 50%, deporting those employed illegally.Home affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says in the coming year, his department will intensify inspections at restaurants, spaza shops, farms and mines by over 50% and take action - including deportations - against people illegally employed.

The initiative was started under his predecessor, Aaron Motsoaledi, who earlier this year called for harsher sanctions against business owners who knowingly employ undocumented foreigners.

Schreiber said the department was working on the provision of smart ID cards to naturalised citizens. He said 280 cards had already been issued and 697 were in progress.

“Once the system has been adjusted to verify compliant applications, all naturalised citizens will be able to visit any home affairs office equipped with live-capture facilities to apply for their smart ID cards,” he said.

Schreiber also announced that home affairs would urgently reactivate the Immigration Advisory Board. It will provide him with “evidence-based advice” on tackling matters such as the process of consultation on the future of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit.

In his maiden budget vote speech in parliament, he said home affairs would focus on:

• Addressing visa backlogs and failure to process applications timeously;

• Safeguarding South Africa’s borders;

• Reducing queues by ensuring the online system worked effectively;

• Expanding home affairs footprint through introducing infrastructure and mobile trucks;

• Tackling corruption; and

• Strengthening international migration and refugee protection - in line with the provisions of the constitution.

To be effective in unlocking scarce skills, growing tourism and creating jobs, Schreiber said home affairs “must urgently clear the backlog in the processing of permits”.

The department, he said, had set up a dedicated team to reduce backlogs. “Our dedicated team has already reduced the backlog by processing 92 886 applications out of a total of 306 042.”

He added: “This is especially urgent because the department is currently inundated with costly court cases it cannot afford.

“In many instances, these cases stem from a simple inability to process applications in a timely manner - forcing clients to seek judicial relief.” Securing SA porous borders was “another side of the coin” - while attracting investment and tourism.

“South Africa needs to do much more to combat illegal immigration,” said Schreiber. “It is central to our national security, but also out of our commitment to economic growth.

“The reality is that no-one will want to visit or invest if we allow our country to lose control over its borders and internal security.”
Branching out

On shortening queues at home affairs offices, he said the department was “expanding our footprint and taking services closer to the people”.

“I am pleased to report that the project to expand into shopping malls has seen the opening of conveniently located offices in Menlyn Mall in Pretoria, Cresta Mall in Johannesburg and Pavilion Mall in eThekwini.”

On corruption, he said: “Theft, fraud and other forms of maladministration, pose an existential threat to the vision for a dignified home affairs that powers economic growth.

“This includes devaluing our official documents.

“Although the announcement by Ireland last week that citizens of South Africa and Botswana now require visas to visit the country did not specifically mention this issue, I am still going to request a meeting with the Irish ambassador, to understand the extent to which concerns over corruption influenced this regrettable decision.”

The Bargaining Council for Restaurants, Catering and Allied Trades had not been informed by the department about planned inspections.Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said he would be intensifying inspections to identify undocumented foreign nationals in some sectors including the food, mining and farming industries.

However, officials say they have not even been informed of when these inspections will start.

The general secretary at the Bargaining Council for Restaurants, Catering and Allied Trades, Maggie Pooe, said they were shocked to read the announcement in the news because “the DHA had not informed us about.”

She added that in Joburg alone in the past five years, the industry had seen a large number of foreign nationals, both documented and undocumented.

Implementing Immigration Act

The Immigration Act says anyone who knowingly employs an illegal foreigner or a foreigner in violation of the Immigration Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or a period of imprisonment not exceeding one year for a first offence.

Earlier reasons behind the use of undocumented foreign nationals were said to be cheap labour and exploitation as employers knew that they could not report them as they would also be in contravention of the law.

The Immigration Act caters for the admission of foreign nationals to reside in South Africa and is connected with their ability to work.

However, the Labour Relations Act is applicable regardless of the legal status of the employee.

The LRA governs disputes relating to unfair dismissal and unfair practices and regulates the resolution of these disputes.

The CEO of Free State Agriculture, Gernie Botha, said they were not always informed of specific instances where such inspections took place.

“At the moment I am aware of one employer who was charged, although I suspect that there may be more incidents.”

Botha said, “When foreign nationals are employed, additional documentation needs to be provided. If noncompliance from the employer is found, the employer can be arrested for employing an illegal immigrant.

Mass Arrest and Deportation: SAPS Targets Illegal Activities in Limpopo.
In a large-scale operation conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo province, 208 undocumented individuals were apprehended, and suspected stolen property was recovered.The operation, which targeted the Marble Hall and Groblersdall policing areas in the Sekhukhune District, began on the evening of Thursday, July 19, 2024, and continued until 11:00 the following day.

The primary goal of this extensive operation was to address illegal activities in the Leeuwfontein area and surrounding farms. The results of the operation were significant, with the arrests breaking down as follows:

-176 Zimbabwean nationals

-28 Mozambican nationals

-4 Indian nationals

All individuals were taken into police custody for contravening the Immigration Act.
During the course of the arrests, police made additional seizures. A white Toyota Hilux bakkie, loaded with oranges suspected to be stolen, was confiscated from two foreign male nationals.

In a separate incident, one male suspect was apprehended for possession of a suspected stolen plasma smart television set, which was discovered in one of the rooms at a local farm.

The operation`s aftermath saw swift action taken. The Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals, including both adults and minor children, were immediately deported to their respective countries via the appropriate border crossings.

This quick deportation process highlights the efficiency of the operation and the coordination between SAPS and immigration authorities.

The four Indian nationals, however, remain in police custody. Authorities are conducting further investigations to facilitate their deportation to India, suggesting that their case may involve additional complexities or require more extensive documentation.

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, expressed strong support for the operation. She commended the `outstanding work displayed by the men and women in blue in combating illegal activities as well as the contravention of immigration across the province.` Furthermore, she emphasized that such efforts to maintain law and order will continue throughout Limpopo.

This operation raises several important points:

-The scale of undocumented immigration in the area, particularly from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique,.

-The potential link between undocumented individuals and other criminal activities, such as property theft,.

-The immediate deportation of minors along with adults, which may spark discussions about the treatment of undocumented children.

-The different handling of nationals from countries further afield (in this case, India) compared to those from neighboring nations.

-The ongoing challenges faced by South African authorities in managing border control and immigration issues.

As South Africa continues to grapple with these complex issues, operations like this one in Limpopo are likely to remain a key part of the government`s strategy to address undocumented immigration and associated criminal activities.

Source:

https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=54527

Work is underway to position the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as a powerful engine for economic growth. Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has emphasised the department’s crucial role in achieving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, a priority set by the Government of National Unity.
Presenting the DHA’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Monday, Schreiber highlighted the importance of accelerating the reforms introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa through Operation Vulindlela. This government-driven initiative aims to speed up the implementation of structural reforms in key sectors to foster inclusive economic growth.
“The Apex Priority of the Government of National Unity, as captured in our shared Statement of Intent, is to generate rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth to create jobs,” said Schreiber.
Boosting the Economy with Scarce Skills
Schreiber noted that the National Treasury has identified increasing the availability of scarce skills in the labour market as the second most powerful step to grow the economy and create jobs for South Africans, just behind the eradication of load shedding.
“To fulfil this mandate of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Home Affairs will enhance our role as an economic enabler by accelerating the implementation of Operation Vulindlela’s reforms. Alongside steps already taken, such as the streamlining of required documents and the introduction of the Trusted Employer Scheme, we will do much more,” Schreiber stated.
Trusted Employer Scheme
The Trusted Employer Scheme, a key recommendation of the work visa review, allows major investors and large employers to follow a streamlined process with improved turnaround times. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to attract and retain critical skills in the country.
Addressing the Backlog
Schreiber also addressed the urgent need to clear the backlog in the processing of permits, which is essential for unlocking scarce skills and boosting tourism to create jobs.
“The department has set up a dedicated team to reduce the backlog. I am pleased to report that we are starting to see progress. Our dedicated team has already reduced the backlog by processing 92 886 applications out of a total of 306 042. This is a reduction of 30%. But we must do more, because clearing this backlog is the only way to avoid another extension of the concession on visas, waivers and appeals that has already been granted three times,” Schreiber explained.
He added that receiving daily reports on the backlog’s status will ensure that the department remains focused on eradicating it.
Building Trust with Stakeholders
Schreiber underscored the importance of repairing relationships with key stakeholders to build trust and form the necessary partnerships to move forward. This is particularly urgent as the department is currently overwhelmed with costly court cases, often resulting from delayed application processing.
“This is especially urgent because the department is currently inundated with costly court cases that it cannot afford,” Schreiber said