Home Affairs to Tackle Visa Backlog and Clamp Down on Illegal Immigration
- Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber is committed to transforming his department into a "powerful driver of economic development"
- Schreiber promised to start by reducing a significant backlog of permit applications and intensifying the clampdown on illegal immigration
- A dedicated team has already reduced the backlog by 30%, and Schreiber aims to streamline processes and implement reforms under Operation Vulindlela to enhance legal immigration and boost tourism
Reitumetse Makwea, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Pretoria, South Africa, covered local elections, policy changes, the State of the Nation Address and political news at The Citizen and Rekord Noweto for over five years.
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Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has committed to transforming his department into a "powerful engine of economic growth", according to BusinessLIVE.
The department is taking urgent steps to reduce the backlog of permit applications and clamp down on illegal immigration.
On Monday, Schreiber emphasised the importance of clearing this backlog to unlock scarce skills and boost tourism, both crucial for job creation.
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Schreiber revealed his budget
In his budget vote speech to a mini-plenary of the National Assembly, Schreiber revealed that a dedicated team, established in April, had made significant progress.
The backlog of 306,042 applications has been reduced by 92,886, a 30% reduction.
The department receives additional resources from auditing firm Deloitte and First National Bank to support the visa backlog team.
"I have asked to be provided with daily reports on the state of the backlog until it is eradicated. 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.
"This is an abnormal situation, and we must get this problem under control so that extensions are no longer necessary."
Schreiber also addressed issues of long queues and system downtime at Home Affairs offices.
More plans in the pipeline
He committed to accelerating the reforms under Operation Vulindlela, the presidential unit focused on implementing structural reforms.
“In addition to measures already implemented, like simplifying required documents and launching the trusted employer scheme, we plan to do much more.
"This includes finalising the points-based system for work visas, introducing remote working and start-up visas, frequently updating the critical skills list, and making it easier for more tourists to visit our beautiful country and spend their valuable foreign currency here in South Africa."
Increase in legal immigration
He emphasised the findings from Operation Vulindlela’s 2022 review, which showed a 1.25% rise in employment for every 1% increase in skilled, legal immigration.
Schreiber noted that the Treasury identified increasing the availability of scarce skills as the second-most decisive step to grow the economy and create jobs, just behind eradicating loadshedding.
To further engage with stakeholders, Schreiber announced the urgent reactivation of the Immigration Advisory Board.
The board will provide ongoing advice on crucial issues, including the court-ordered consultation procedure about the Zimbabwean exemption permit.
"The advisory board will function as a crucial platform to resolve issues before they reach the courts and to provide scientifically researched and evidence-based guidance to tackle significant challenges."
He acknowledged that the department faced numerous costly court cases due to delays in processing applications.
A dashboard will be created to track outstanding court orders, ensuring compliance and reducing litigation costs.
Schreiber emphasised that clearing the permitting backlog will go some way towards solving the problem.
The illegal immigration clampdown is in full swing, with Schreiber promising more inspections across all sectors, aiming to deport those illegally employed. He says SA won't be able to strengthen the economy or attract investment if it can't control its borders.
Underfunding of the BMA
During a parliamentary debate on the Home Affairs Department's budget on Monday, several parties raised concerns about the Border Management Authority (BMA) 's underfunding.
To date, the BMA has intercepted and deported almost 300,000 individuals attempting to enter the country illegally.
To combat illegal immigration, Schreiber says he plans to inspect employment in numerous sectors, such as spaza shops, farming, mines and food outlets, by at least 50% with the help of the Department of and Labour, SAPS and local government.
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Schreiber’s comprehensive plan aims to overhaul the Home Affairs Department and transform it into a cornerstone of South Africa’s economic growth and development.
Schreiber vows to end long queues at Home Affairs, netizens approve
Briefly News reported that Schreiber has promised to end offline systems and long queues at Home Affairs offices, acknowledging the frustration caused by system outages.
Schreiber's pledge has been met with mixed reactions on social media, with some expressing support and others raising concerns about related issues like illegal immigration.
He emphasised that "system offline" should become unacceptable, aiming for a more efficient and reliable service.
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Source: Briefly News
