Amid an increasing calls for new Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber to reverse his decision to extend the deadline for visa applications, ActionSA has called for the minister to prioritise jobs for South Africans.
Last week, a day after being sworn in, Schreiber extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals who are awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver and appeal applications.
The extension safeguards applicants, including those who are contributing to South Africa through their scarce skills, from suffering adverse consequences or being erroneously declared undesirable while they await the outcome of applications submitted to the department.
“The decision to avert adverse consequences for applicants who seek to obtain lawful visas in order to contribute to South Africa, either through their skills or as tourists, signals the minister’s commitment to improving the visa system to make South Africa a more attractive destination for international investment, tourism and job creation,” the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.
At the weekend, a new petition seeking to stop the minister from extending applications, penned by an individual who identified himself as Kaneth Smollan, said the minister’s decision was not in favour of the country’s interest.
More on this
• Undocumented immigrants arrested, processed meat confiscated during blitz operation in Msunduzi
• ATM calls on new Home Affairs minister to prioritise jobs for locals
• SA is encouraged by the new Home Affairs Minister`s focus on remote working visas
“Patriotic South Africans, Let’s stop Leon Schreiber, the DA minister of home affairs, from extending working visas for immigrants. This is an insult to the work done by his predecessor former minister Aaron Motsoaledi who worked hard to fix the mess done by the government, which contributes to high unemployment rate as companies are hiring immigrants because they are cheap labour. And most of them are not skilled, some have just faked qualifications from their countries,” the petition read.
On Sunday, ActionSA caucus leader in the National Assembly Lerato Ngobeni also slammed the minister for having begun this process on the first day after being sworn in, adding that ActionSA was opposed to the minister’s swift decision in extending the temporary concessions.
“Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber’s first act was to extend temporary concessions for foreign nationals’ visas, along with public statements outlining priorities for improving work visa processes, ActionSA implores the minister to address the urgent crisis of illegal immigration with equal vigour and make it a top priority,” Ngobeni said.
Last week, Schreiber said the decision to extend these concessions was to attract business and skills investment into the country and was in line with making South Africa competitive in a bid to ensure economic growth.
However, Ngobeni as well as the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and other parties are not convinced of the minister’s argument.
Ngobeni added that Schreiber would do well to understand that the widespread corruption and mismanagement that has plagued the Department of Home Affairs has allowed criminal elements to exploit South Africa’s legal visa regime.
“This illegality has contributed to the proliferation of drugs and illicit goods in South Africa, necessitating urgent strengthening of our borders and immigration controls. If the minister’s intention is to put the interests of South Africans first, he must prioritise the crisis of illegal immigration with the same urgency as he highlights the issue of work visas,” she said.
ActionSA said the country’s spiralling crime rate as well as the numbers of unemployment among South Africans can be attributed to the porous borders as more and more illegal immigrants flood the country.
“The spiralling crime rates linked to foreign crime syndicates operating with near impunity, and the widespread exploitation of cheap foreign labour in an already constrained labour market that has left millions of South Africans without job opportunities, are consequences of our flawed immigration system. With expanding terror networks across the African continent, South Africa cannot afford to be lax in allowing undocumented individuals to roam freely across our country without trace,” Ngobeni added.
On Thursday, the ATM in a statement said the decision by the minister undermined skilled South Africans who are overlooked by employers who want to empower foreigners over locals.
“The African Transformation Movement (ATM) notes with grave concern the recent announcement by Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, extending the temporary concession for foreign nationals awaiting visa, waiver, and appeal outcomes. This decision demonstrates a blatant disregard for the well-being and economic prospects of South Africans.
“Minister Schreiber’s policy not only opens our borders, but also undermines the efforts of skilled South African workers. This concession allows an influx of foreign nationals, competing for limited job opportunities while our unemployment rates remain alarmingly high. With unemployment being one of the most pressing issues facing our country, it is imperative that we prioritise South African workers. This policy neglects the need to protect local jobs and exacerbates economic challenges,” the ATM said.
However, responding to increasing criticism from the ATM and other parties, Schreiber described calls for him to reverse his decision to extend visa and waiver applications as “ignorant”.
“f I were this ignorant, I’d be a little more careful not to advertise it. The concession applies to legal visa holders who are already contributing to South Africa through tourism, investment and skills, and who are waiting for Home Affairs to process legal renewals, waivers or appeals due to a big backlog we are tackling.
“The days of unchallenged fake news peddling are over. The time for the rule of law and unlocking economic growth to create jobs, has arrived,” the minister said through his X account at the weekend.Amid an increasing calls for new Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber to reverse his decision to extend the deadline for visa applications, ActionSA has called for the minister to prioritise jobs for South Africans.
Last week, a day after being sworn in, Schreiber extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals who are awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver and appeal applications.
The extension safeguards applicants, including those who are contributing to South Africa through their scarce skills, from suffering adverse consequences or being erroneously declared undesirable while they await the outcome of applications submitted to the department.
“The decision to avert adverse consequences for applicants who seek to obtain lawful visas in order to contribute to South Africa, either through their skills or as tourists, signals the minister’s commitment to improving the visa system to make South Africa a more attractive destination for international investment, tourism and job creation,” the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.
At the weekend, a new petition seeking to stop the minister from extending applications, penned by an individual who identified himself as Kaneth Smollan, said the minister’s decision was not in favour of the country’s interest.
More on this
• Undocumented immigrants arrested, processed meat confiscated during blitz operation in Msunduzi
• ATM calls on new Home Affairs minister to prioritise jobs for locals
• SA is encouraged by the new Home Affairs Minister`s focus on remote working visas
“Patriotic South Africans, Let’s stop Leon Schreiber, the DA minister of home affairs, from extending working visas for immigrants. This is an insult to the work done by his predecessor former minister Aaron Motsoaledi who worked hard to fix the mess done by the government, which contributes to high unemployment rate as companies are hiring immigrants because they are cheap labour. And most of them are not skilled, some have just faked qualifications from their countries,” the petition read.
On Sunday, ActionSA caucus leader in the National Assembly Lerato Ngobeni also slammed the minister for having begun this process on the first day after being sworn in, adding that ActionSA was opposed to the minister’s swift decision in extending the temporary concessions.
“Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber’s first act was to extend temporary concessions for foreign nationals’ visas, along with public statements outlining priorities for improving work visa processes, ActionSA implores the minister to address the urgent crisis of illegal immigration with equal vigour and make it a top priority,” Ngobeni said.
Last week, Schreiber said the decision to extend these concessions was to attract business and skills investment into the country and was in line with making South Africa competitive in a bid to ensure economic growth.
However, Ngobeni as well as the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and other parties are not convinced of the minister’s argument.
Ngobeni added that Schreiber would do well to understand that the widespread corruption and mismanagement that has plagued the Department of Home Affairs has allowed criminal elements to exploit South Africa’s legal visa regime.
“This illegality has contributed to the proliferation of drugs and illicit goods in South Africa, necessitating urgent strengthening of our borders and immigration controls. If the minister’s intention is to put the interests of South Africans first, he must prioritise the crisis of illegal immigration with the same urgency as he highlights the issue of work visas,” she said.
ActionSA said the country’s spiralling crime rate as well as the numbers of unemployment among South Africans can be attributed to the porous borders as more and more illegal immigrants flood the country.
“The spiralling crime rates linked to foreign crime syndicates operating with near impunity, and the widespread exploitation of cheap foreign labour in an already constrained labour market that has left millions of South Africans without job opportunities, are consequences of our flawed immigration system. With expanding terror networks across the African continent, South Africa cannot afford to be lax in allowing undocumented individuals to roam freely across our country without trace,” Ngobeni added.
On Thursday, the ATM in a statement said the decision by the minister undermined skilled South Africans who are overlooked by employers who want to empower foreigners over locals.
“The African Transformation Movement (ATM) notes with grave concern the recent announcement by Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, extending the temporary concession for foreign nationals awaiting visa, waiver, and appeal outcomes. This decision demonstrates a blatant disregard for the well-being and economic prospects of South Africans.
“Minister Schreiber’s policy not only opens our borders, but also undermines the efforts of skilled South African workers. This concession allows an influx of foreign nationals, competing for limited job opportunities while our unemployment rates remain alarmingly high. With unemployment being one of the most pressing issues facing our country, it is imperative that we prioritise South African workers. This policy neglects the need to protect local jobs and exacerbates economic challenges,” the ATM said.
However, responding to increasing criticism from the ATM and other parties, Schreiber described calls for him to reverse his decision to extend visa and waiver applications as “ignorant”.
“f I were this ignorant, I’d be a little more careful not to advertise it. The concession applies to legal visa holders who are already contributing to South Africa through tourism, investment and skills, and who are waiting for Home Affairs to process legal renewals, waivers or appeals due to a big backlog we are tackling.
“The days of unchallenged fake news peddling are over. The time for the rule of law and unlocking economic growth to create jobs, has arrived,” the minister said through his X account at the weekend.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has advocated for the newly sworn-in Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber to establish a special unit within his department to handle illegal immigrant issues.
Last week, Schreiber extended the temporary concession for foreigners waiting for visa, waiver and appeal outcomes.
According to Schreiber, the extension seeks to protect applicants, especially those contributing scarce skills in South Africa from facing negative outcomes of being mistakenly labelled undesirable while they wait for their application outcomes from the department.
“The decision to avert adverse consequences for applicants who seek to obtain lawful visas in order to contribute to South Africa, either through their skills or as tourists, signals the minister’s commitment to improving the visa system to make South Africa a more attractive destination for international investment, tourism and job creation,” said the Department of Home Affairs in a statement.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Mashaba declared that their representative in Parliament, Lerato Ngobeni issued a statement on Friday and has taken up the matter with the minister.
In addition, Mashaba said the minister was fully aware that they will not permit any minister or anyone else to jeopardise the country`s sovereignty.
Mashaba noted that those in South Africa illegally need to be deported, but that due processes need to be followed.
“We cannot just go around the streets picking up anyone,’’ he said.
As a matter of urgency, Mashaba said Schreiber needs to establish a special unit within the law enforcement agencies to ensure he streamlines the illegal immigrants coming in South Africa.
Mashaba said that the country needed to be in a position in the future where there is not one single undocumented person in Mzansi.
Mashaba said anyone coming into South Africa must demonstrate, as per the law’s prescripts, that they have a reason to be in the country.
“We cannot allow anyone to bring illegality into our country; drug dealers and drug syndicates are making our country their playground, hijacking buildings and bringing in people to come and work in restaurants, whereas 12 million South Africans are unemployed. In addition, bringing people to run spaza shops in our communities,” he said.
Moreover, Mashaba said terrorist groups are a major concern in South Africa and foreign embassies are aware of this.
“All those funding spaza shops bring money through illegal means and money doesn’t come through our normal banking systems and when they have made profits from our people, the money is also taken out through illegal means,” he said.
Mashaba also issued a warning, claiming that illegal immigrants funding terrorist groups in secret, will lead to their takeover of South Africa soon.

SA and Botswana nationals are required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland, effective from Wednesday.
A transit visa will also be required if intending to transit through Ireland en route to another destination.
“This is a carefully considered decision, which will bring Ireland into closer alignment with the Schengen area in respect of both countries, and into line with the UK in respect of SA,” justice minister Helen McEntee said on Monday.
She said in recent years a significant number of international protection applications, which are referred to as refugee status applications in SA, have been received from nationals of Botswana and South Africa.
The Dublin visa office will establish a dedicated desk to process applications from SA passport holders. The department will also establish three visa applications centres in SA with visa service provider VFS Global.
Transitional arrangements will be put in place for nationals of Botswana and SA who have existing arrangements made before July 10 2024 to travel to Ireland until August 9. Those who have existing travel arrangements are advised to check irishimmigration.ie for further information.
Ireland is clamping down on illegal entry into the country.
More than 3,700 “doorstop” operations were carried out on flights that pose risks of irregular migration at Dublin airport in the first half of 2024, and more than 115 people were arrested for arriving without appropriate documentation in the same period.
The government said its border management unit continues to provide training and 24-hour advice to airlines on how to identify and deal with immigration abuse. A review of carrier liability legislation has been completed and new increased levels of fines will soon be introduced.
Other nationalities who require visas for travel to Ireland include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Nigeria, China, Qatar, Rwanda, Thailand, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
A year ago, SA passport holders had visa-free access to 106 countries. Those included Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Argentina, Israel, Seychelles, Peru and Qatar. A visa was required for 121 countries, including Morocco, Mexico and Malta.
Two years ago an SA passport allowed citizens visa-free entry to 105 countries in the world, ranking it in 55th place from a high of 35th place in 2008 and 2009.
The government was advised then by travel experts to do more to reduce passport fraud to improve the rating and ensure an effective, automated e-visa system to improve the processing of applications.

Cape Town International Airport has been ranked second-best worldwide, according to a new survey from passenger claims company Airhelp.
The survey, which takes into account customers` opinions on an airport`s on-time performance, customer service delivery, and food and shops, ranked 239 airports from 69 countries.
Johannesburg`s OR Tambo International Airport ranked sixth overall on the global list.
More than 17 500 scores (ranking the different categories out of 10) were given by passengers for their flights between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024.
On-time airports contributed 60% towards the overall score, while customer opinion contributed 20% to the score and food and ships contributed 20%.
Looking at the ratings, Cape Town had an overall score of 8.5, while Doha Hamad Airport achieved a score of 8.52 at the top of the list, and Chubu Centrair Airport in Japan was ranked third.
Cape Town`s on-time performance rating (8.6) beat Doha`s 8.3.
OR Tambo ranked sixth overall on the global list, with an overall score of 8.29.
Other African airports featured on the list were the Moroccan Marrakesh Menara Airport and Casablanca Mohamed V Airport, which were ranked 168 and 214, respectively. Tunis Carthage Airport in Tunisia was also ranked last on the list at 239.
According to the survey, Cape Town was also the best airport in the category of 50 000 and 100 000 flights per year.
Meanwhile, Belém and Val-de-Cans Airport in Brazil was the best airport for less than 50 000 flights per year, Doha Hamad Airport was the best airport for 100 000 to 200 000 flights per year, and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport in the US was the best airport for airports with more than 200 000 flights per year.

Newly appointed Home Affairs minister has unveiled plans to retain scarce skills.
Just a day after being sworn in, the new Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals who are currently awaiting the outcome of visa, waiver and appeal applications.
The extension safeguards applicants, including those who are contributing to South Africa through their scarce skills, from suffering adverse consequences or being erroneously declared undesirable while they await the outcome of applications submitted to the department.
The processing of some of these applications has been delayed as the department works on reducing backlogs.
Backlog in various visa and permit categories
The department has made progress in this regard since its previous communication on the matter. However, there is still a backlog in various visa and permit categories. And Schreiber has now moved to protect applicants while the backlog is reduced.
“The decision to avert adverse consequences for applicants who seek to obtain lawful visas signals the minister’s commitment. Applicants …who seek these in order to contribute to South Africa, either through their skills or as tourists. It’s a commitment to improving the visa system to make South Africa a more attractive destination. The destination for international investment, tourism and job creation,” the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.
Schreiber was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs by President Cyril Ramaphosa in an address to the nation on Sunday. A swearing-in ceremony by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Cabinet members of the Government of National Unity (GNU) followed. This took place on Wednesday.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said that it will take time to achieve this vision in full. However, the decision to extend the temporary concession serves as a signal of intent. The intent to “reinvigorate the Department of Home Affairs and position it as a vital economic enabler”.
Commits to avoid a repeat of current situation
“In order to build confidence in this new approach, Minister Schreiber further commits to avoiding a repeat of the current situation. [The latter] has seen the previous concession expire prior to the extension being announced.”
In addition, the department is committed to eradicating the backlog as soon as possible. And the minister has undertaken a decision on any further extension, modification or amendment. Further extensions to the terms of these concessions will be communicated. This will be communicated in writing prior to the new expiry date of December 31, 2024.

The following temporary measures will apply with immediate effect.
Visa holders who have applied for a waiver and the waiver application is still pending as of June 30, 2024. They are granted a further temporary extension until December 31, 2024. This is to enable the department to process the applications. Also for applicants to collect their outcomes, and to submit applications for appropriate visas.
Those who wish to abandon their waiver applications and depart from South Africa, will be allowed to exit. This will be at a port of entry before or on December 31 2024. This without being declared undesirable in terms of Section 30(1)(h) of the Immigration Act, 2002. Read with Regulation 27(3) of the Immigration Regulations, 2014.
Visa holders who need to travel, but are awaiting the outcome of a waiver application, will be allowed to do so. This will be up to and including December 31, 2024, without being declared undesirable in terms of the Act.
Visa applicants to get a reprieve
Non-visa-exempt applicants who travel out of the country with a waiver application receipt have requirements. They are required to apply for a port of entry visa, which would allow them to re-enter South Africa.
Visa holders who have applied for long-term visas (still pending) as of June 30, 2024, are granted extension. They have a further temporary extension until December 31, 2024, of their current visa status. These are Visitor’s Visas, Business Visas, Study Visas, Relative’s Visas and Work Visas. Applicants are not allowed to engage in any activity other than what the visa conditions provide for.
Visa holders who need to travel but are awaiting the outcome of a long-term visa application will be allowed. They will be allowed to exit and re-enter at a port of entry up to and including December 31, 2024. They will not be declared undesirable in terms of the Immigration Act.
However, non-visa-exempt applicants who travel out of the country with a long-term visa application receipt have other requirements. They are required to apply for a port of entry visa, which would allow them to re-enter South Africa.