Question NW237 to the Minister of Home Affairs
10 April 2024 - NW237
Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether his department considered any alternative mechanisms that would not impact the economy of the Republic before the issuance by the Acting Director-General of his department of a circular on 21 December 2023, which required tourists who wished to extend their stay in the Republic to leave by 29 February 2024 if they have not received a response to their applications to extend their short-term visas; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Honourable Member, I would like to draw your attention to the Media briefing held on 17 March 2024 in which I comprehensively clarified the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the Circular and the steps taken by the Department to address any consequential concerns emanating therefrom. I have also previously addressed this matter in Parliament in February 2024 during the SONA Debate and on the occasion of the oral responses session of the JCPS Cluster held on 28 February 2023.
In my presentation on the occasion of the Media briefing which is attached as Annexure A, I further clarified how the Department would assist those short-term visa holders who applied, inter alia, for visa extensions and who still have not yet received their application outcomes, whether negative or positive. I must also refer you to paragraphs 2 – 4 supra on page 3 of the Media briefing in which clarity is given regarding the removal of undesirable status for those applicants who may have been purported to have overstayed.
At the time of the Media briefing, there were only 6 known cases received of persons who were negatively affected by the Circular. The Department will continue to assist and resolve these matters upon receipt of specific cases.
END