Question NW1329 to the Minister of Home Affairs
15 May 2023 - NW1329
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether he has been able to ascertain whether the seven suspects arrested for the recent murder of retired journalist, Jeremy Gordin, were undocumented foreign nationals; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has (a) he and (b) his department taken to stem the unceasing flow of undocumented foreign nationals into the Republic; (2) which visas did the foreign nationals hold if they were documented; (3) what are the details of the checks-and-balances that are in place to ascertain whether documented foreign nationals have criminal records in their countries of origin before granting them visas?
Reply:
(1)(a) According to the investigation docket from the South African Police Service, there are eight (8) suspects, of whom six (6) are undocumented persons, one (1) is in possession of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit(ZEP) and one (1) with a suspected fraudulent document.
(1)(b) The Department efforts to stem the flow of undocumented foreign nationals into the Country include the implementation of the Border Management Authority and the appointment of the Border Guards which commenced in July 2022. The Department also participates in joint operations which is coordinated by Provincial and National Joint intelligent structures aimed at combatting illegal immigration. In addition, the department leads law enforcement operations through Operation Siyasebenta, which is supported by the structures mentioned above.
(2) One (1) foreign national is in possession of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit.
3. The Department has a visa and entry stop list at ports of entry wherein a criminal who is sought, can be placed on that list through SAPS working with Interpol. On application for certain category of visas, Police clearances are required from the Country of origin and Countries where the applicant has lived for a prescribed duration of stay in terms of the relevant visa, except for countries that are exempt from visa requirements. For these nationals who come from visa free countries, the visa and entry stop will create alerts on the ports of entry systems if a person is a wanted person or fugitive from justice.
END