Question NW2999 to the Minister of Home Affairs
28 September 2022 - NW2999
Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether he and/or his department submitted a policy review document and/or any other government policy document to structures outside of the Government, either to private and/or external structures or structures of any political affiliation during the past five years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) will he furnish Mr E J Marais with copies of all such documents and (b) what are the reasons that the Government documents were provided to each structure?
Reply:
a) The Department of Home Affairs has in the past five years developed five policy papers, namely:
- The 2017 White Paper on International Migration,
- The White Paper on Repositioning DHA,
- The Official Identity Management Policy,
- The One-Stop Border Post Policy as well as the
- White Paper on Marriages in South Africa.
These policies are available on the departmental website – www.dha.gov.za
b) The South African Constitution makes it pertinent that in any form of decision-making, public participation must be conducted in order for such decision or policy to pass the test of legality and rationality.
The Constitution makes provision for public involvement in law-making, oversight and other processes of Parliament. South Africa’s democratic system not only provides for citizens to elect their representatives, but also allows citizens to have a say in matters that affect them.
The Department has held consultations with different structures outside government. In this regard, the department held consultations with various stakeholders including non-governmental organisations, academics, private sector, religious groupings, traditional leaders and members of the public. Further, the National Economic Development and labour Council (NEDLAC) was engaged on policies that have an impact on the economy such as the One-Stop Border Post Policy.
END