Questions and Replies

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19 March 2024 - NW222

Profile picture: Bongo, Adv BT

Bongo, Adv BT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

Considering that corruption is one of the key areas the Government has prioritised to tackle, what progress has been made with the implementation of the recommendations of the (a) Lubisi Report and (b) Government Printing Works Ministerial Report?

Reply:

Honourable Member, I wish to refer you to two reports presented on 05 March 2024 to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.

The said reports clearly outline progress with timeframes and figures on

(a) Lubisi Report and

(b) Government Printing Works’ Ministerial Report.

They are very detailed and will provide you with all you need to know.

END

14 March 2024 - NW218

Profile picture: Lekota, Mr M

Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether his department had solved the problem of long queues and denial of service on reaching the counter after a long time in the queue; if so, what (a) is the average waiting time for service, (b) measures are in place to check that those who are waiting in the queue will indeed be served without being asked to come back on another day, (c) was being done to ensure that the ticket allocation system is working smoothly and reliably 100% of the time, (d) control measures are in place to ensure that the system is the best it can be and (e) surveys are undertaken to ascertain any improvements should and must occur to satisfy the Batho Pele principle; if not, (i) which of the above are not being done and (ii) why; 2) what has been his findings on citizen satisfaction with the service provided by his department?

Reply:

(1)(a) The average waiting time inside an office is calculated per service as different types of services follow different process flows. Where all systems are working and the offices do not experience load shedding, which now affects network coverage in the offices, the average waiting period for pre-booked services is 7 minutes; for birth, marriage, and death services is 10 minutes and 15 minutes for walk-in services.

(1)(b) There is constant monitoring of the queues to check that those who are waiting in the queue will indeed be served without being asked to come back on another day. The queues are divided into product categories and floor/ queue walkers check the queues at regular intervals to see if clients are eligible to apply for the enabling documents and if so, have the correct supporting documents. This is to avoid clients queueing for long periods only to be turned back for not having the correct supporting documents. The total number of clients on the queue at any given time is also reported to management for resource planning purposes. Each official is allocated a specific period to process an application to keep up with the demand on the booking system and clients in the offices.

(1)(c) The ticket allocation system only operates on ID or passport numbers which are validated against the National Population Register before a ticket is issued to a client. This helps to eliminate illegal blocking and selling of slots by agents.

(1)(d) ID numbers or passport numbers are used as unique identifiers by the system. A valid cellphone number or email addresses is required from clients for verification purposes and sending the reference numbers. The system is able to detect any duplicate active booking.

(1)(e) The Department undertook the Home Affairs Customer Satisfaction Survey during the 2022/2023 financial year. The objectives of the study were to assess citizens’ perceptions and satisfaction level of services provided by the DHA, identify and document main problems in service delivery of the Department, document service areas which needs improvement and provide appropriate recommendations to the management of Home Affairs on ways in which service delivery in the selected study areas could be improved. The implementation plan for this study was developed and recommendations are currently being implemented.

(2) The findings of the 2022/2023 survey were as follows:

For Citizens’ perceptions and satisfaction level of services provided by the DHA

  • In summary, the 2022/2023 customer satisfaction research findings are a mixture of positive and negative news regarding DHA service delivery efforts across all service centers
  • 96% of the customers surveyed endorsed the DHA pricing structure as affordable.
  • When asked about the likelihood of recommending the DHA offices they visited using a scale where those who would recommend were captured as promoters, those neutral would be passives whilst those who would not recommend would be detractors. The majority of respondents (i.e. 82%) were DHA promoters whilst 6% were detractors, giving a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 76%. The higher the NPS is the healthier the brand. The main reasons mentioned by the minority that would not recommend DHA across all customer segments were poor customer service, slow customer service, and bad staff attitude.
  • Friendliness of Home Affairs officials was highlighted as the biggest challenge.
  • Most of the customers were serviced on the same day, however there were some who had to visit the Home Affairs more than once for the same service. For those who were not serviced on the same day their reasons were due to long queues, not having all the required documents and the system being offline.
  • The findings show a general improvement in queue management, with an increase of the scores across the different customer interaction points.
  • The DHA was generally praised for effectiveness – i.e. its capability to deliver expected output; and criticised for lack of efficiency.
  • The findings indicate that most DHA customers visit the DHA offices for the application of birth certificates and smart IDs.

For Customer Satisfaction Score (CSI)

  • Customer Satisfaction Score for each service channel was generally high with scores above 70%. However, harbours and airports had the highest satisfaction score of over 90% whereas refugee centers had the lowest score of 73%.
  • Inaccessibility, waiting in unmanaged queues for long hours, and unwelcoming staff attitude emerged as the most popular barriers to service excellence at Home Affairs offices. These also include the ability of staff to resolve queries, wait to get attention, and fair treatment.

Overall, DHA online processes were rated relatively high. However, lack of speed, particularly regarding receiving documents, and the payment process, emerged as the most popular barrier to online service excellence.

END

14 March 2024 - NW457

Profile picture: Roos, Mr AC

Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What number of (a) new-comer asylum applications have been processed in each refugee reception centre from quarter 1 to quarter 3 of the 2023-24 financial year and (b) applications were (i) granted refugee status and (ii) rejected as (aa) unfounded and (bb) manifestly unfounded; (2) what number of (a) asylum files have been processed through the funded backlog project of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, (b) the processed files have been granted refugee status and (c) backlog files processed have received a final rejection; (3) whether any of the rejected applications have been appealed through a judicial appeal at the high court; if not, why not; if so, what number from each refugee reception centre has been appealed through a judicial appeal?

Reply:

(1)(a) In the period 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2023 the Department processed 15 047 newcomer applications.

(1)(b)(i) 877 cases were granted status

(1)(b)(ii) (aa) 5009 Cases were adjudicated as Unfounded.

(bb) 8415 Cases were adjudicated as one of the Manifestly Unfounded categories for SCRA review

(2)(a) The total number of processed files for the Backlog Project is 10 890.

  • Hearings conducted: 3 910
  • Notices sent for No Shows: 894
  • Paper determinations: 167
  • No Show decisions: 406
  • Family Joining decisions: 201
  • Cancellations/ Withdrawal: 5 312

(2)(b) Of these processed files, 3 872 were rejected.

(2)(c) Of these processed files, 713 were granted refugee status.

(3) Of cases processed and finally rejected, some Appellants have launched Judicial Reviews in terms of Rule 53 of the Uniform Rules of Court. The total number of appeals under review is: 78

  • Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre: 59
  • Musina Refugee Centre: 5
  • Durban Refugee Centre: 9
  • Gqheberha Refugee Centre: 3
  • Cape Town Refugee Centre: 2

END:

14 March 2024 - NW490

Profile picture: Siwisa, Ms AM

Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What steps has his department taken to fight the increase of identity theft cases in the Republic, where innocent individuals are left in debt due to their identities being fraudulently issued by officials within his department to persons with ill intent who use it to open credit accounts?

Reply:

Innocent individuals who find themselves in debt due to identity theft are informed by the creditors of their debts and if disputed, they are advised to report the matter to the SAPS for further investigation.

The Department has online verification services whereby any member of the public when applying for identification in the Department, the document is verified online to ensure authentication of the owner of the identity to be issued.

Banks have online verification platforms whereby they can verify the legitimacy of the fingerprints of the clients as they are linked to DHA systems.

All reported cases of corruption involving officials are analysed and investigated. Cases reported with elements of fraud and corruption are referred to SAPS for further handling.

If misconduct is detected, the case is referred to Employee Engagement for disciplinary processes.

The Department has also embarked on Awareness Campaigns regarding identity on both Internal and External platforms.

END

08 March 2024 - NW232

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Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(1) With reference to his undertaking in his 2023-24 Home Affairs Budget Vote that his department had ordered 100 new mobile trucks to augment the ailing fleet of unused mobile units, what is the latest status report on the delivery and deployment of the new mobile service trucks; (2) whether the 100 new mobile services trucks have been operational since 1 January 2024; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1&2)

All one hundred (100) mobile offices have been delivered and are undergoing live capture systems’ installations and configurations and the process will be finalised by 31 March 2024. The minister will announce details of the distribution.

END

08 March 2024 - NW82

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What (a) progress has been made by the Council for Scientific and Industry Research (CSIR) on the development of an IT system for his department in five designated offices to address network challenges and (b) are the (i) main deliverables and (ii) due dates for each deliverable; (2) whether there are any sub-contractors involved in the project; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the full details of (a) the sub-contractors and (b) their contract value; (3) what are the reasons that the project did not go out on open tender?

Reply:

(1)(a) The progress made in the five designated offices is contained in the table in (b)(ii) below.

(1)(b)(i) The main deliverable of the Proof of Concept (PoC) is an overlay of the selected sites onto an alternative network.

(1)(b)(ii) The following activities were planned to achieve this deliverable: -

Activity

Responsible party

Due date

PoC site selection

CSIR + DHA

31 May 2023 (completed)

Physical PoC site surveys

CSIR

30 June 2023 (completed)

Procurement guidelines

CSIR + DHA

30 June 2023 (completed)

PoC site connection

DHA

30 June 2024 (in progress) – connections taking place in parallel, last site planned to be connected on 30 June 2024

Reporting

CSIR

30 September 2024 (in progress)

(2) CSIR did not appoint any sub-contractors; nor are there sub-contractors involved in the project. However, three service providers were appointed through an RFQ procurement process by the Department of Home Affairs in support of the CSIR project. Please refer to the contracted values below: -

Service Provider

Scope of Work

Contract value

Dark Fiber

Provide Fibre link with no services or data line (Dark fiber), as the standard to the following offices: Menlyn, Soshanguve, Umgeni, Wynberg and Potchefstroom; which terminate on an Optical Distribution Frame on either end of the link (ODF-to-ODF).

R2,896,918.00

Service Provider

Scope of Work

Contract value

Liquid Tech

Provide Fibre link with no services or data line (Dark fiber), with fibre class G652D as the standard to King Shaka International Airport which terminate on an Optical Distribution Frame on either end of the link (ODF-to-ODF).

R3,078,829.00

CBX Tech

Provide and install Nokia SAS-M 24F switch, with dual power supply (1 year Next business day onsite warranty) for the six sites.

R696,658.00

(3) The decision to deviate from the normal SCM processes and the SITA Act in the appointment of the CSIR was based on the fact the Department had requested SITA to appoint CSIR through a deviation process as the service is within the non-mandatory services to SITA, but SITA was advised by the National Treasury to let the Department transact directly with CSIR as the budget is from the Department. The Department then followed the deviation process due to the following:

• CSIR has an understanding and is familiar with the DHA IT environment;

• The project will assist with stabilising the IT environment and enable the Department to achieve its service delivery objectives; and

• The item is not a SITA mandatory service as it is intended to identify bottlenecks within the IT environment. Should the CSIR recommend new developments, SITA will be approached as the IT procurement agency of the State.

The Department operates in the security cluster and security considerations dictate the use of another Government entity / institution to conduct the systems downtime diagnostics rather than any bidder in the open market.

END

08 March 2024 - NW236

Profile picture: Roos, Mr AC

Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

What progress has been made by his department to facilitate the issuing of Smart Identity Documents to (a) South Africans born abroad and (b) naturalised citizens since the undertaking of the Director-General of his department during the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on 10 October 2023?

Reply:

a) Qualifying South Africans born abroad may apply for Smart IDs in the country, as there is no live capture solution at the embassies.

b) The Department commenced on 5 December 2023 with the pilot project of issuance of Smart ID Cards to naturalised citizens. This process involves the verification of the issued naturalisation certificates. Communication through email, WhatsApp, and letters have been sent to naturalised citizens to visit any DHA office.

END

07 March 2024 - NW189

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

With reference to magistrates refusing to entertain enquiries pertaining to section 34 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002, which were lodged between 29 June 2019 and 30 October 2023, what total number of persons detained (a) as illegal foreigners were released and (b) for the purposes of deportation were held beyond 30 days without appearing before a magistrate?

Reply:

The non-application of section 34(1)(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002 in some magistrates’ courts in the country commenced in February 2022, and not on the lapse of the court order on 29 November 2019.

  1. The illegal immigrants who were not confirmed in court in terms of section 34(1)(b) were not released, but charged criminally as per the provisions of section 49(1) of the Immigration Act, 2002.
  2. No person whose illegal status in the country has been verified is detained beyond 48hrs without appearing before a magistrate. Should it be clear that the court appearance will not be possible, the person is released before the end of that period. Therefore, no illegal immigrant is detained for up to 30 days without ever Appearing before a magistrate.

END.

07 March 2024 - NW187

Profile picture: Roos, Mr AC

Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What is the percentage of deaths that have been registered with his department within 72 hours in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023?

Reply:

The percentage of deaths registered within 72 hours in each of the following years:

a) 2019: 67%

b) 2020: 68,90%

c) 2021: 66,48%

d) 2022: 65,79%

e) 2023: 66,36%

END.

07 March 2024 - NW161

Profile picture: Smalle, Mr JF

Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What is the total number of deaths registered in the (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23 financial years in each province?

Reply:

a) Total number of deaths registered in the 2021-22 financial year in each province is: -

PROVINCE

TOTAL

EASTERN CAPE

81649

FREE STATE

35399

GAUTENG

122328

HEAD OFFICE

10209

KWAZULU-NATAL

100300

LIMPOPO

56346

MPUMALANGA

38570

NORTH WEST

35297

NORTHERN CAPE

19883

WESTERN CAPE

67828

TOTAL

567809

b) Total number of deaths registered in the 2022-23 financial year in each province is: -

PROVINCE

TOTAL

EASTERN CAPE

73184

FREE STATE

27677

GAUTENG

109770

KWAZULU-NATAL

87070

LIMPOPO

46226

MPUMALANGA

31377

NORTH WEST

27082

NORTHERN CAPE

15337

WESTERN CAPE

55775

TOTAL

473498

END.

07 March 2024 - NW184

Profile picture: Khanyile, Ms AT

Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4076 on 8 January 2024, in which he did not provide the details of the backlog of processing applications for temporary residence visas, he will furnish Ms T A Khanyile with full details of the current backlog of processing applications for temporary residence visas as at the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) what exactly is meant by “moving” the older Temporary Residency Visa applications from 2022 concurrently with the current applications of 2023 and (b) how will that assist in dealing with the backlog?

Reply:

1. The Department has 17 visa categories. As of 31 January 2024, the total number of Critical Skills, Business, and General Work Visas that form part of the annual performance plan have no backlogs.

The delays and backlogs are on two visa categories, they are section 11 (6) and Section 18. They are for spousal and relative visas respectively. The department experiences challenges regarding the legitimacy of relationships being claimed or cited in the application. It must be noted that some foreign nationals take advantage and follow corrupt methods to legitimise themselves, family members, friends, and others. The backlog in this category is 41083.

Fraudulent marriages, marriages of convenience, and a special category of cohabitation are unfortunately on the increase. The department has to prove the legitimacy of these relationships as well as their notarial contracts.

It is widely known that the department does not have sufficient capacity such as immigration officers who have to be tasked in investigating the authenticity of such relationships. Without proving the authenticity of such documents the department will end up issuing visas to people who do not deserve to be in the country.

2. The backlog plan aims to work on and finalise both the old and new applications to avoid creating another backlog with the latest applications/workflow.

END

07 March 2024 - NW28

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What (a) is the current backlog of visa processing since 1 January 2023, (b) is the breakdown of the specified backlog in each visa category, (c) is the average waiting period for each visa category and (d) are the reasons that visitors are not allowed to extend their visas past the initial 90 days granted?

Reply:

(a)(b) the DHA has 17 visa categories. The other categories are Critical, and General worker's visas have no backlog, however, the Spousal visa category backlog stands at 41083, which is section 11 (6).

The delays and backlogs are on two visa categories, they are section 11 (6) and Section 18. They are for spousal and relative visas respectively. The department experiences challenges concerning the legitimacy of relationships being claimed or cited in the application. It must be noted that some foreign nationals take advantage and follow corrupt methods to legitimise themselves, family members, friends, and others.

Fraudulent marriages, marriages of convenience, and a special category of cohabitation are unfortunately on the increase. The department has to prove the legitimacy of these relationships as well as their notarial contracts.

It is widely known that the department does not have sufficient capacity such as immigration officers who have to be tasked in investigating the authenticity of such relationships. Without proving the authenticity of such documents the department will end up issuing visas to people who do not deserve to be in the country.

(c) The average waiting period is stipulated in the DHA Service Delivery Charter which is available online. For example, the turnaround time for PRP is 8 months.

(d) In terms of Section 11 (1) (a) of the Immigration Act, provides that

(1) A visitor’s visa may be issued for any purpose other than those provided in sections 13 to 24, and subject to subsection (2), by the Director General in respect of a foreigner who complies with section 10A and provides the financial or other guarantees prescribed in respect of his or her departure, provided that such visa’ may not exceed three months and upon application may be renewed by the Director General for a further period which shall not exceed three months.

Further, applicants that have applied for extensions that are under consideration by the Department remain legal in the country pending finalisation of their applications. This is in line with our legislative prescripts as passed by the legislature.

END

07 March 2024 - NW250

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

What is the total number of officials of his department who have been (a) caught and (b) prosecuted for corruption, such as selling documents, and/or working with syndicates from 1 January 2019 until the latest specified date for which information is available?

Reply:

(a & b) The information is tabulated below:

Year

Number of Cases received

Arrests

Convictions

2019 - 2020

283

6

None

2020 – 2021

193

5

None

2021 – 2022

232

27

01

2022 – 2023

206

48

09

2023 – 2024

266

40

02

END

07 March 2024 - NW251

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

What is the current status of the backlog and/or delays of the (a) processing and (b) issuing of visas as at 1 February 2024? QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO. 251 DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2024 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 4 – 2024 251.Ms L L van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs: [51] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is more than quota (Rule 137(8))] What is the current status of the backlog and/or delays of the (a) processing and (b) issuing of visas as at 1 February 2024? NO283E REPLY: (a) (b) The Department has 17 visa categories. As of 31 January 2024, the total number of Critical Skills, Business, and General Work Visas that form part of the annual performance plan have no backlogs. The delays and backlogs are on two visa categories, they are section 11 (6) and Section 18. They are for spousal and relative visas respectively. The department experiences challenges concerning the legitimacy of relationships being claimed or cited in the application. It must be noted that some foreign nationals take advantage and follow corrupt methods to legitimise themselves, family members, friends, and others. The backlog in this category is 41083. Fraudulent marriages, marriages of convenience, and a special category of cohabitation are unfortunately on the increase. The department has to prove the legitimacy of these relationships as well as their notarial contracts. It is widely known that the department does not have sufficient capacity such as immigration officers who have to be tasked in investigating the authenticity of such relationships. Without proving the authenticity of such documents the department will end up issuing visas to people who do not deserve to be in the country. END

Reply:

(a) (b) The Department has 17 visa categories. As of 31 January 2024, the total number of Critical Skills, Business, and General Work Visas that form part of the annual performance plan have no backlogs.

The delays and backlogs are on two visa categories, they are section 11 (6) and Section 18. They are for spousal and relative visas respectively. The department experiences challenges concerning the legitimacy of relationships being claimed or cited in the application. It must be noted that some foreign nationals take advantage and follow corrupt methods to legitimise themselves, family members, friends, and others. The backlog in this category is 41083.

Fraudulent marriages, marriages of convenience, and a special category of cohabitation are unfortunately on the increase. The department has to prove the legitimacy of these relationships as well as their notarial contracts.

It is widely known that the department does not have sufficient capacity such as immigration officers who have to be tasked in investigating the authenticity of such relationships. Without proving the authenticity of such documents the department will end up issuing visas to people who do not deserve to be in the country.

END

07 March 2024 - NW259

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Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether he intends acting against any persons who obtained their South African citizenship by naturalisation in terms of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, Act No 88 of 1995, who is rendering services under a foreign flag in a plausible genocide that the Republic does not support or agree with after such persons neither applied for permission and/or were declined permission to render such services in the commission of plausible acts of genocide; if not, why not; if so what steps does he intend to take? QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO. 259 DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2024 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 4 – 2024 259.Mr M G E Hendricks (Al Jama-ah) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs: [61] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is more than quota (Rule 137(8)] Whether he intends acting against any persons who obtained their South African citizenship by naturalisation in terms of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995, Act No 88 of 1995, who is rendering services under a foreign flag in a plausible genocide that the Republic does not support or agree with after such persons neither applied for permission and/or were declined permission to render such services in the commission of plausible acts of genocide; if not, why not; if so what steps does he intend to take?NO296E REPLY: Section 6 of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 makes a provision for Loss of citizenship” and subsection (3) specifies as follows:” “Any person who obtained South African citizenship by naturalisation in terms of this Act shall cease to be a South African citizen if he or she engages, under the flag of another country, in a war that the Republic does not support.” END

Reply:

Section 6 of the South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 makes a provision for Loss of citizenship” and subsection (3) specifies as follows:”

“Any person who obtained South African citizenship by naturalisation in terms of this Act shall cease to be a South African citizen if he or she engages, under the flag of another country, in a war that the Republic does not support.”

END

07 March 2024 - NW309

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)How many of the Operation Vulindlela recommendations relating to his department have been implemented during the targeted time frame; (2) (a) which recommendations, if any, have not been implemented and (b) what are the reasons for failure to implement all recommendations; (3) whether his department intend to implement any of the outstanding recommendations; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) relevant details and (b) time frames for the implementation of those recommendations?

Reply:

1. Five Operation Vulindlela recommendations were implemented fully during the targeted timeframe.

2. The remaining three recommendations are being processed as they relate to:

a) Firstly, it’s the introduction of new visa categories to cater for remote workers and start-ups. Secondly, it is the expansion of the DHA capacity in Immigration Services and the Third, is modernising IT systems.

b) The DHA is making progress with regard to the remaining three recommendations which can be recorded as follows: The amendment of Immigration regulations for new visa categories was published on 08 February 2024 for public comments until 29 March 2024. The regulations will be finalised after the public consultation process. With regards to DHA capacity, the Department recently received an allocation from the National Treasury to increase its capacity but will take longer to reach the desired level. In terms of modernising IT systems, the DHA is working on a modernisation programme that seeks to modernise IT systems.

3. (a) (b)Yes, the department has committed to the Presidency to implement all the recommendations and is in the process of doing so within the targeted timeframes of Operation Vulindela.

END

07 March 2024 - NW278

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 3898 on 21 December 2023, his department has any plans, other than the funding from the European Union, to capacitate the Refugee Appeal Authority of South Africa to work through the remaining backlog of appeals; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

In my previous response I indicated that the Refugee Appeals Authority (RAASA) Backlog Project had 30 legally qualified members that were remunerated from the funding from the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR). Unfortunately, the number of members decreased to 22 later. Due to limited funding received from the UNHCR, the Backlog Project is currently left with only 10 members as the rest of the members’ (12) contracts of employment were terminated in December 2023.

The future plan is to have two (2) RAASA members stationed at each of the five (5) Refugees Centres in the Republic at all material times. This will in essence go a long way in preventing the recurrence of further backlogs.

END

07 March 2024 - NW227

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Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO. 227 DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2024 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 4 – 2024 227.Mr T Mogale (EFF) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs: [19] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is more than quota (Rule 137(8)]s: (a) What number of mobile units of his department are operational in the Free State and (b) in which areas do the mobile units operate?NO250E REPLY: (a)There are currently eleven (11) mobile units in the Department of Home Affairs in the Free State. (b)Mobile units are stationed in the following areas: Bloemfontein services Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Soutpan, Glen and Bainsvlei. Botshabelo services Hobhouse, Excelsior, Tweespruit, Thaba Pachoa. Koffiefontein services Oppermansgronde, Jacobsdal, Petrusburg, Fauresmith, Jagersfontein, Trompsburg, Philippolis, Edenburg, Reddersburg, Bethulie, Springfontein, Gariepdam and Luckhoff. Zastron services Smithfield, Vanstadensrus and Rouxville. Bultfontein services Boshof, Wesselsbron, Hoopstad, Dealasville, Brandfort and Hertzogville. Welkom services Windburg, Ventersburg, Henneman, Odendaalsrus, Virginia, Theunissen, Verkeerdevallei and Windburg. Kroonstad services the Steynsrus, Vredefort, Edenville, Koppies, Heilbron and Viljoenskroon. Sasolburg services Villiers, Cornelia, Deneysville, Oranjeville and Frankfort. Phuthaditjhaba services Kerstell and Phuthaditjhaba. Harrismith services Memel, Swenbam, Roadside, Verkykerskop, Magolokweng Intabazwe, Tshiame A.B.C. Diyatalawa and Warden. Bethlemen services Lindley, Arlington, Clocalan, Reitz, Fouriesburg, Clarence, Paul Roux, Marquard, Rosendal, Meatz, Danielsrus Senekel, Libertasie, Kransfontein, Tweeling and Petrussteyn. END

Reply:

(a) There are currently eleven (11) mobile units in the Department of Home Affairs in the Free State.

(b) Mobile units are stationed in the following areas:

  • Bloemfontein services Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Soutpan, Glen and Bainsvlei.
  • Botshabelo services Hobhouse, Excelsior, Tweespruit, Thaba Pachoa.
  • Koffiefontein services Oppermansgronde, Jacobsdal, Petrusburg, Fauresmith, Jagersfontein, Trompsburg, Philippolis, Edenburg, Reddersburg, Bethulie, Springfontein, Gariepdam and Luckhoff.
  • Zastron services Smithfield, Vanstadensrus and Rouxville.
  • Bultfontein services Boshof, Wesselsbron, Hoopstad, Dealasville, Brandfort and Hertzogville.
  • Welkom services Windburg, Ventersburg, Henneman, Odendaalsrus, Virginia, Theunissen, Verkeerdevallei and Windburg.
  • Kroonstad services the Steynsrus, Vredefort, Edenville, Koppies, Heilbron and Viljoenskroon.
  • Sasolburg services Villiers, Cornelia, Deneysville, Oranjeville and Frankfort.
  • Phuthaditjhaba services Kerstell and Phuthaditjhaba.
  • Harrismith services Memel, Swenbam, Roadside, Verkykerskop, Magolokweng Intabazwe, Tshiame A.B.C. Diyatalawa and Warden.
  • Bethlemen services Lindley, Arlington, Clocalan, Reitz, Fouriesburg, Clarence, Paul Roux, Marquard, Rosendal, Meatz, Danielsrus Senekel, Libertasie, Kransfontein, Tweeling and Petrussteyn.

END

07 March 2024 - NW221

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Chabane, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Considering that his department had issued directives to extend the validity of the exemption permits for nationals from Lesotho and Zimbabwe, what are the plans to finally deal with the matter of the (a) Zimbabwe Exemption Permit and (b) Lesotho Special Permit?

Reply:

The Department is implementing the Directive issued by the Minister on 29 November 2023.

In this regard, both Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals have started applying for the extension in line with the Directive. The new exemption permits will not be renewable (see paragraph 5.6 of the Minister’s press statement on the granting of exemptions to the Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals in terms of Section 39 (2) of the Immigration Act No.13 of 2002).

END

28 February 2024 - NW71

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Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What (a) progress has been made to relocate the Home Affairs office in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, (b) are the challenges causing the delay of the relocation project and (c) are the details of the service delivery benefits that his department will offer after relocation?

Reply:

a) In terms of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act of 2007 (GIAMA), the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is responsible for the sourcing of office accommodation on behalf of government departments. To that end the DPWI issued a bid for alternative accommodation in December 2018. Following the successful conclusion of the bid process, a contractor was appointed on 9 January 2020 to build a new office for the Department of Home Affairs.

b) In addition to the protracted procurement and contracting processes at DPW&I, it took time to obtain the necessary approvals for the building plans from the City of Cape Town. These challenges are now resolved and building works have commenced on site.

c) The new office will provide the community of Mitchells Plain with the full ambit of services available at any of the modernised Home Affairs offices. These include the issuance of Smart ID Cards, passports and the registration of births, marriages and deaths. In addition, the new office will address the health and safety issues raised in respect of the existing office infrastructure and will provide sufficient waiting area for clients as well as adequate working areas for the department’s officials.

END

28 February 2024 - NW27

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What (a) number of (i) refugees and (ii) asylum seekers have been living in the Republic since 1 January 2024 and (b) is the breakdown of the countries the specified refugees and asylum seekers come from; (2) what number of foreign nationals are in possession of temporary refugee and/or asylum seeker documentation; (3) what is the current average time it takes before a decision is communicated to confirm or deny the status of a refugee and/or asylum seeker based on temporary documentation?

Reply:

(1)(i) Below is the total number of refugees (Section 24 holders) with a valid visa as at 1 January 2024:

Country

Total

Afghanistan

5

Algeria

3

Angola

21

Egypt

4

Burundi

2383

Benin

3

Bangladesh

169

Bahamas

1

Cambodia

1

Central African Republic

8

Chad

2

Cameroon

291

Congo

3739

DRC

19834

Comoros

1

Cuba

1

Eritrea

1317

Estonia

3

Ethiopia

13401

Palestine

30

Ghana

3

Guinea Bissau

10

Ivory Coast

17

India

2

Iran

1

Iraq

7

Jordan

3

Kenya

118

Liberia

45

Sri Lanka

9

Macau

2

Mali

3

Malawi

7

Morocco

1

Niger

3

Nigeria

7

Oman

1

Pakistan

5

Russia

9

Rwanda

918

Senegal

2

Sierra Leone

12

Solomon Islands

6

Somalia

20743

Saint Kitts and Nevis

1

Sudan

71

Swaziland

9

Sweden

1

Syria

39

Tanzania

25

East Timor

4

Togo

9

Türkiye

4

Uganda

407

Ukraine

2

Yemen

4

Zambia

51

Zimbabwe

3373

Total

67151

(1)(ii) Below is the total of Section 22 holders (Asylum seekers) with a valid visa as at 1 January 2024:

Country

Total

Afghanistan

10

Algeria

42

Angola

4

Egypt

88

Australia

1

Bahrain

2

Burundi

5228

Benin

10

Bangladesh

9239

Bahamas

5

Burkina Faso

11

Botswana

1

Bosnia

1

Central African Republic

2

Chad

1

China

13

Cameroon

735

Congo

3206

DRC

22298

Comoros

8

Colombia

1

Eritrea

823

Estonia

2

Ethiopia

25624

Gabon

7

Gambia

7

Palestine

3

Ghana

584

Guinea Bissau

4

Guinea

14

Croatia

1

Hungary

3

Ivory Coast

33

India

1846

Ireland

1

Iran

3

Iraq

1

Israel

3

Jamaica

2

Jordan

9

Kenya

396

Liberia

26

Libya

1

Lesotho

4

Sri Lanka

6

Mali

32

Malaysia

1

Malawi

627

Morocco

3

Mozambique

39

Mayotte

1

Nepal

76

Netherlands

1

Niger

153

Nigeria

1468

New Zealand

1

Pakistan

3249

Russia

1

Rwanda

807

Senegal

235

Sierra Leone

5

Somalia

4406

Saint Kitts and Nevis

1

Sudan

33

Suriname

1

Slovenia

1

Swaziland

2

Syria

13

Tanzania

226

Thailand

7

East Timor

2

Togo

5

Türkiye

7

Uganda

1785

Ukraine

2

Uruguay

1

Wallis and Futuna

1

Yemen

5

Zambia

100

Zimbabwe

3365

Total

86971

2. For the current financial year, the Department makes a first instance decision on average within 7 days with more than 90% of cases adjudicated within 30 days.

3. In terms of the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs (SCRA) on average, it takes 180 days to review all matters submitted to SCRA. Currently due to high volumes of matters designated as manifestly unfounded, fraudulent and abusive, SCRA has less than 50 cases which have exceeded 180 days.

The Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAASA) is a tribunal and its adjudication and finalisation of appeal cases is a bit complex. Over the years, RAASA became inundated with appeals which escalated around the period 2008, leading to the current backlog.

Every appeal case with its complexities is adjudicated on its own merits and the time to finalise thereof differs from one case to the other. However, individual members of the RAASA conduct about 3-5 appeal hearings a day to eradicate the backlog and this is subject to the Asylum Seeker honouring the set down date.

END

08 January 2024 - NW4076

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What is the current backlog of processing applications for temporary residence visas at his department?

Reply:

Honourable Member, this question of visa backlogs was responded to in September 2023 and seems to be appearing again two months later. But it is also appearing in the media in various forms.

The central claim by various media houses, individuals and sometimes even companies, or organisations is that the department of home affairs is causing economic stagnation and contributing largely to unemployment by delaying the processing of visas.

I wish to take this opportunity to clarify matters in this regard.

Contrary to popular belief,the department has no undue delays on visas that impacts directly on the economy and employment. The delays and the backlogs are on two special categories of visas which I will elaborate on below,

The majority of applications received for temporary Residence visa are categories that belongs to section 11 (6) and Section 18. These sections denote to spousal visas and relative visas respectively as enacted in the Immigration Act (Act 13 of 2002).

The department is not just deliberately delaying the processing of such visas.

The department is experiencing significant and ever increasing challenges with regards to legitimacy of relationships being claimed or cited as a reason for applying for these visas.

Some foreign nationals have taken advantage and gets into corruption to legitimise themselves, family members, friends and others.

The number of fraudulent marriages, marriages of convenience and a special category of cohabitation are unfortunately on the increase.

The category of cohabitation is even more problematic and easily attracts corruption because all that two people claiming to be staying with each other need to produce is a contract written by the notary public (notarial contract). There is nothing in law that forbids two people to legitimise their relationship through a notarial contract. The problem is that some of the contracts presented to the department looks very suspicious and warrants a thorough investigation when such applications are processed. More worryingly, spousal visa applications based on the notarial contracts are on the increase.

It is common cause that the department does not have enough Immigration officers who have to be tasked with the difficult job of investigating authenticity of relationships. Yet, without knowing whether relationships are authentic, the department will find itself issuing visas to people who do not deserve to be in the country.

As of 14 December 2023, approximately 86 per cent of the backlog consists of this relationship visas.

The department has developed a plan to address the backlog. The plan aims to move the older Temporary Residency Visa applications from 2022 concurrently with the current applications of 2023.

Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Dr PA Motsoaledi, MP

Minister of Home Affairs

Date:

08 January 2024 - NW4019

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Considering that he has admitted that his department records more than 2,000 fake marriages to foreign nationals annually, what (a) new enhanced measures are in place to verify that a marriage between a South African citizen and a foreign national is genuine and not merely a transaction and (b)(i) steps have been taken to nullify the 2 000 fake marriages per year and (ii) are the full, relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

Honourable Member, it may be very important for me to explain how the figure of about 2000 fake marriages comes about.

These are divided into three main categories; the first category is real fake marriages whereby a Home Affairs official is involved in facilitating a marriage that does not exist. The official gets paid money by the prospective spouse (usually male) who wants documents to sojourn in South Africa through marriage.

Due to the system of BACM (Biometric Access Control Management), a Home Affairs official who practices this type of corruption will not register this marriage on the National Population Register because their fingerprints are needed to do so. Hence it is very easy to pick up this type of marriage once a complaint is made, because of its absence from the Register.

The second category, which is by far the biggest category, is marriages of convenience. This is when the couple agrees to get legitimately married whereby one spouse (usually a foreign male) pays money to the other spouse (usually a South African lady) in return for getting documents to sojourn in South Africa via marriage. It is wrongly believed by both spouses that after the transactions have been completed the South African spouse will then approach Home Affairs to ‘cancel’ the marriage on the basis that it is fake. However, our investigations usually reveal their fingerprints, addresses, and photos which are legitimate on the marriage documents. In this case, we advise them to go to court to start divorce proceedings. Many of them cry foul and publicly blame the Department of Home Affairs.

The third category is whereby an ID of a South African (usually a lady) is stolen and used to go and register a marriage with a foreign spouse.

a) Our measures are the following:

  • BACM discourages corrupt officials from registering a marriage on the National Population Register because they will be caught out through their fingerprints
  • Introduction of the new Marriage Register (DHA-30) which requires biometrics from the couple at the same time.
  • Extensive interviews are conducted with the couple before registration of marriage.
  • Letter of non-impediment must be submitted by the foreign prospective spouse to prove that they are not married back home. Such a letter must be written by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the country of origin of the prospective spouse.

b) (i)(ii) Any marriage that is not on the NPR is immediately annulled. Those that are legal but are marriages of convenience, we as Home Affairs are unable to do anything about them. The couple themselves must go to court to divorce, where we have proof that an ID was stolen we also annul the marriage.

From January 2023 to November 2023, 1 614 fraudulent marriages were encountered and 1102 have been expunged. The remainder are still under further investigation.

Reply: Approved / Not Approved

 

Dr PA Motsoaledi, MP

Minister of Home Affairs

Date:

21 December 2023 - NW4211

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether his department plays a role in the accreditation of venues as voting stations for eligible South African citizens abroad; if not, why not; if so, what mechanisms and/or protocols are followed to accredit a venue that is not an embassy, High Commission or a Consulate of the Republic as a voting station?

Reply:

The Department of Home Affairs plays no role in the accreditation of venues as voting stations for eligible South African citizens abroad. Sections 33(3) and 33(4) of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, determine the location of voting stations outside of the country at South African Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates.

END

21 December 2023 - NW3784

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

With reference to the constitutional defects of section 34(1)(b) and (d) of the Immigration Act, Act No 13 of 2002, which were highlighted in the judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court on 29 June 2017 but suspended the declaration of invalidity for 24 months that expired on 29 June 2019, what total number of (a) persons were (i) detained for the purposes of deportation between 29 June 2019 and 30 October 2023 and (ii) deportations were confirmed and (b) court cases (i) have been initiated against Home Affairs concerning the (aa) detention for purposes of deportation, (bb) prevention of confirmation of deportation and (cc) confirmation of deportation between 29 June 2019 and 30 October 2023 and (ii) did the department defend?

Reply:

(a)(i) There were 31 229 persons detained for the purposes of deportation between 29 June 2019 and 30 October 2023.

(a)(ii) 27 823 deportations were confirmed between 29 June 2019 and 30 October 2023.

(b) For the period between 19 June 2019 and 30 October 2023, the following:

(b)(i)(aa) There were no court cases initiated against Home Affairs concerning detention for purposes of deportation.

(b)(i)(bb) No court cases were initiated against the department to prevent confirmation of deportations.

(b)(i)(cc) There were no court cases initiated against the department regarding the confirmation of deportation.

(b)(ii) There were no court cases which required the department to defend.

 

END

21 December 2023 - NW3898

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Considering that in 2019 the Refugee Appeals Authority South Africa (RAASA) entered into an agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) for a backlog project, what total number of (a) RAASA members (i) were hired and (ii) remain employed and (b) appeal hearings have been (i) heard and (ii) decided after a hearing by the specified members?

Reply:

The Four-Year Partnership Agreement is between the Department of Home Affairs and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Agreement was signed on 8 March 2021 paving the way for the implementation of Plan 2019: Backlog Project.

A (i) At the heart of Plan 2019, was the recruitment of 36 legally qualified Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAASA) members to assist with the adjudication and finalisation of Backlog Appeal cases. A total of thirty (30) Members were recruited at different times of the project in 2021. The Project was never fully capacitated with 36 Members due to UNHCR’s financial constraints.

(ii) During the recruitment process, we preferred lawyers who actually practised on arguing cases in court. However, the number has decreased to twenty-two (22) because many lawyers who abandoned their practices during the Covid lockdown have now resigned to go back to their practices since the lockdown is over

The UNHCR has first informed that they no longer have money, however, the EU (European Union) has agreed to help but can only fund ten (10) members. The result is that 12 members’ contracts will have to be terminated.

B (i) A total number of hearings conducted: 3 439.

(ii) A total number of finalised decisions: 3 626. (This figure includes paper determinations, “No Show” decisions, and family joining)

The total number of finalised appeal cases including cancellations/withdrawals of asylum claims: 8 380.

END

21 December 2023 - NW4209

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What process does his department follow in removing persons who have (a) denounced and (b) lost/forfeited their South African citizenship from the population register; (2) whether there is any backlog in removing persons from the population register; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the total number of persons that constitute the backlog and (b) on what date is it envisaged that the backlog will be eradicated?

Reply:

(1)(a) When an applicant applies for renunciation and submits a guarantee letter, [of a pending offer of citizenship by another country] the applicant is issued with a renunciation letter, and his/her ID number is converted from a SA citizen ID number to a non-SA citizen ID number.

(1)(b) Same as above.

(2)(a) There is no backlog.

2(b) Not applicable

 

END

21 December 2023 - NW4210

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether his department plays a role in the Independent Electoral Commission’s online application process for a special vote abroad; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons that the process does not require applicants to provide their current physical addresses?

Reply:

The Department of Home Affairs plays no role in the online application process beyond confirming the citizenship status of the supplied identity number. The duty to register voters, compile and maintain a voters’ roll is in terms of section 5 (e) of the Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996 read with section 5 of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 within the sole remit of the Electoral Commission.

Voters who register to be included in an international segment of the voters’ roll are not required to provide their physical addresses because they are registered against a South African mission and the mission constitutes a component of the international segment of the voters’ roll for purposes of elections of the National Assembly.

END

11 December 2023 - NW4077

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether, with reference to the backlog of applications for Temporary Residence Visas since 1 September 2023, any temporary residence visa applications that have been adjudicated on have been finalised by the (a) Chief Directorate and/or (b) Director-General (DG) without going through quality assurance by the supervisor and/or secondlevel director; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the DG and/or any member of his department authorised that a temporary residence visa application be finalised without being (a) assigned for adjudication and (b) adjudicated on; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, wat are the relevant details?

Reply:

1.No, all applications are subjected to quality assurance levels within the applicable Standard Operating Processures (SOPs) and legislative prescripts.

2. No. Neither the DG nor any of his officials has given authorization to have an application finalised without going through the established processes.

END

08 December 2023 - NW4075

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether, with reference to quality assurance measures introduced by his department to reduce irregular granting of temporary residence visas, an application for a temporary residence visa must still go through (a) adjudication, (b) first-level supervisor, (c) second-level director and (d) the Chief Director and/or the Director-General, where required, for quality assurance; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, applications for a temporary residence visa must still go through adjudication, first-level supervisor, second-level director and the Chief Director or the Director-General, where required.

The above is done as per the workflow designed to support the Immigration Services Delegations of 2022.

END

08 December 2023 - NW3831

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Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether there are any specific challenges and/or constraints within his department that have contributed to the delays in visa processing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what strategies are being implemented to overcome the challenges; (2) (a) how is his department communicating with applicants who are experiencing delays in their visa applications and (b) what support mechanisms are in place to provide (i) information and (ii) assistance to those affected by the delays; (3) what steps has he taken to (a) address the backlog of visa applications and (b) improve the efficiency of the visa application and processing system, with the aim of reducing delays and ensuring a smoother application process for future applicants; (4) on what date is it envisaged that issues of certain applicants (details furnished) will be attended to?

Reply:

1) In responding to your question, I think it is very important to mention that South Africa has 17 (seventeen) different types of visas. Not all of them have any challenges and not all of them have backlogs. It would have helped for the question to be specific on the type of visas backlog being referred to. Be that as it may, challenges with visas are mostly dependent’s visas, like spousal visas and relative’s visas as well as Permanent Residence visas which developed a huge backlog during Covid Lockdown as international travel was forbidden.

(2)(a) The Department issued a notice in March 2023, where the applicants with long term visa, permit and waiver applications were extended to end December 2023, which was published on its website, social media and through the Visa Facilitation Centre.

(2)(b) The information is shared on the website and other social platforms. The department is in the process of reviewing its current extension to accommodate those awaiting long term applications of December 2023 and will announce its decision through the various media platforms.

(3)(a) The department has developed a plan to address the backlogs. The plan aims to move the older Temporary Residency Visas and Permanent Residency Permits applications concurrently with the current work.

(3)(b) The department is currently engaging stakeholders such as Banks and SAQA to assist in reducing turnaround times for the verifications. Since the e-Visa system is working so well in timeously issuing the tourist / visitor’s visa, the department is presently working on piloting it for three additional visa categories.

4) It is envisaged that with the approval of delegations and the implementation of the backlog plan, the Visa and Permits will be reduced or finished by end November 2024.

END

08 December 2023 - NW3655

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether his department keeps record of the number of foreign nationals who are released from police custody due to the failure of his department to verify their immigration status within 48 hours; if not, why not; if so, what total number of undocumented foreign nationals were released for the specified reason in each quarter from 1 April 2022 to date?

Reply:

The department keeps records of all foreign nationals in police custody whose immigration status is verified and it does not fail to determine such status within 48 hours. After determining the status, those that are found to be illegal foreigners, are charged and taken to court within 48 hours. As a result, 22 560 illegal foreigners were deported since 1 April 2022.

Should the court fail to confirm the deportation, the department issues the illegal foreigners with an Order to depart from the Republic, as they are not released into the custody of the Department.

END

 

08 December 2023 - NW3925

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What (a)(i) is the progress on developing documented policies and procedures to guide the collection of money due to his department for fines and penalties issued in terms of sections 50(3) and 50(4) of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002, and (ii) is the timeline for the completion of the process and (b) is the quantum in rands of uncollected monies due to his department for fines and/or penalties issued to transport operators in terms of the specified sections of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002?

Reply:

(a)(i) The Policy relating to the management of administrative fines was approved and signed-off by both the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority on 31 May 2023. The Policy prescribes the process to guide the collection of revenue due to the Department for fines and penalties issued in terms of sections 50(3) and 50(4) of the Immigration Act, Act No. 13 of 2002.

(a)(ii) The Policy was approved and signed-off on 31 May 2023.

(b) The amount for fines and penalties issued in terms of sections 50(3) and 50(4) of the Immigration Act, Act No. 13 of 2002, is reflected under note 23 of the 2022/23 Annual Financial Statements of the Department. As at 31 March 2023, this amounted to R273 167 000. As at the end of October 2023, fines and penalties issued by the Border Management Authority during the current financial year (2023/24) amount to R14 915 000 (unaudited).

END

05 December 2023 - NW3913

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Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What are the relevant details that his department has for all eVisas (a) applied for and (b) issued for each country eligible for the eVisa regime for the period 1 January to 30 October 2023?

Reply:

Country

Total Applications Received

Approved

Rejected

Pending

NIGERIA

10103

4250

5689

164

PAKISTAN

8706

5676

2947

83

INDIA

4607

1726

2715

166

CHINA

4577

2058

2454

65

EGYPT

1050

498

535

17

ROMANIA

828

311

502

15

LITHUANIA

441

164

260

17

PHILLIPINE

424

125

285

14

CAMEROON

422

192

223

7

ETHIOPIA

385

167

213

5

GHANA

375

65

288

22

CROATIA

322

106

197

19

MEXICO

312

76

225

11

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

249

74

168

7

UGANDA

237

80

149

8

ALGERIA

227

80

144

3

SLOVAKIA

87

16

66

5

KENYA

85

20

60

5

SAUDI ARABIA

76

8

59

9

BULGARIA

67

24

41

2

IRAN

62

27

35

0

INDONESIA

54

17

35

2

OMAN

31

11

19

1

MOROCCO

27

7

19

1

ALBANIA

20

6

14

0

SENEGAL

17

4

13

0

BULGARIA

17

3

13

1

CONGO

13

1

11

1

COTE D IVOIRE

9

3

6

0

LIBERIA

7

1

6

0

NIGER

5

3

2

0

MALI

4

 

4

0

CUBA

2

 

1

1

GUINEA

1

 

1

0

Grand Total

33849

15799

17399

651

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

END

05 December 2023 - NW3924

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether, with reference to the release of over 750 illegal foreign miners who were detained during the September 2023 joint operation in Kleinzee, Northern Cape, on 24 October 2023, he has found that his department was adequately informed by the SA Police Service (SAPS) about the joint operation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) on what date was his department informed of the joint operation and (b) what is the name of the official who was informed of the operation in his department; (3) whether any planning meetings were held with the SAPS prior to the joint operation; if not, why not; if so, on what dates; (4) whether any debriefing was held between his department and SAPS on what went wrong and led to the release of the illegal miners; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the findings, (b) who has been held responsible for the debacle, (c) what disciplinary actions have been taken against the relevant officials and (d) what number of the detained illegal foreign miners had their immigration status confirmed within the required 48 hours?

Reply:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 3924

(1-3) Honourable member, in my previous response to parliamentary question 3586, I indicated that there is a need for better coordination at national level for similar operations by the NATJOINTS and Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) inclusive of all law enforcement Agencies, as well as DHA and Border Management Authority (BMA).

(4) Law enforcement operations are currently still underway in the same area and the assessment and impact of the operations will be evaluated once concluded.

END

 

05 December 2023 - NW3744

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Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(a) What recent initiatives and policies aimed at promoting social cohesion, tolerance and the integration of foreign nationals has he initiated and (b) how is his department (i) addressing the root causes of xenophobic violence and (ii) working to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in the Republic?

Reply:

(1)(a)(ii) The Department of Home Affairs contributes to the APEX priority of government on Social Cohesion and Safe Communities. As such the Department supports the Department of Arts, Sports and Culture and the Department of Justice on matters of social cohesion, tolerance and integration by issuing enabling documents. The registration of births and issuance of identity documents to citizens are key to access rights and services as all administrative and financial transactions in South Africa are based on identity. The Department also collaborates with UNHCR and IOM among other role players regarding migration issues. The Department confirms and provides enabling documents to foreigners legally residing within the country as well as facilitate and regulate the secure movement of people through ports of entry into and out of the country according to a risk-based approach.

(b)(i) The department is part of structures such as the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration which has been looking at issues such as violence within the trucking industry which is alleged to be the result of preferential hiring of foreign truck drivers.

(b)(ii) The department is part of law enforcement operations such as “Operation Shanela” to root out criminality and also conducts its own immigration law enforcement operations thorough its Inspectorate Division. These multi-faceted operations are amongst the efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of South Africans and foreign residents.

END

04 December 2023 - NW4018

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether, considering his recent statement that there is no backlog of critical skills applications with regard to work permits and noting that a report by The Presidency has revealed that it takes 48 weeks or more to process an application, he has found this to be a reasonable timeline for the processing of a visa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what processes need to be followed that take up so much time, (b) what total number of critical skills applications are currently in the system and (c) by what date will the specified applications be completed?

Reply:

a) The Work Visa Review Report by Operation Vulindlela did not state that it takes Home Affairs 48 weeks to process an application. What the Report pointed out was that a work visa applicant can take about 48 weeks across all entities to obtain supporting documents for an application. These entities are the applicant’s security authorities from country of origin for the Police Clearance certificate, SAQA verification of qualifications, Medical Practitioners for medical certificates, the recommendation certificate from the Department of Employment and Labour, and the now removed requirement for a radiological report. These are the activities that take place prior to the applicant approaching the Department to submit an application. On receipt of the application, the Department processes the application within 20 working days.

The Department is already implementing the Vulindlela recommendations, some of which are that certain non-critical supporting documents should be removed from the process.

b) As at the 24th of November 2023, there were 349 pending critical skills work visa applications pending in the system.

c) The above mentioned applications are due for completion within 20 working days from date of application.

END

04 December 2023 - NW3942

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Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether (a) he, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in his department attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in his department who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by his department as a result of the trip(s)?

Reply:

(a-b): The Deputy Minister and I did not attend the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023.

(c) No official in the Department of Home Affairs attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023 in an official capacity.

The Department of Home Affairs did not incur any expenditure in relation to the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023.

END

28 November 2023 - NW3783

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether he will furnish Mr A C Roos with (a) a list of all the software licences that his department makes use of and (b) the expiry dates of each licence listed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

Reply:

(1)(a)&(b) The Department is not in the position to divulge the information pertaining to software licenses that are used in our applications for security reasons.

 

END

24 November 2023 - NW2895

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What (a) is the processing backlog for each type of visa issued by Home Affairs as at 31 August 2023, (b) process is being put in place to clear the backlog and (c) time frame is in place to clear the backlog?

Reply:

a) The processing backlog of Visas and Permits as at 31 August 2023 is 74 309 and 43 944 respectively.

b) The department has developed a plan to address the backlogs. The plan aims to move the older Temporary Residency Visas applications from 2022 concurrently with the current applications of 2023. This will be done by splitting the temporary residence visa team into two. The same approach is being implemented for Permanent Residency Permits. The plan includes the utilisation of its current capacity supported by the additional officials from other branches including those in Provinces. It also includes those officials who have returned from the Foreign Missions after serving their four-year deployment term. Other options are also being looked at to support the above and will be implemented should it be deemed necessary to do so to support the eradication plan.

c) The department envisages to have cleared the backlog by November 2024.

 

END

24 November 2023 - NW3968

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether, with reference to the publication of the White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee Protection: Towards a complete overhaul of the migration system in South Africa and his admission that his department has no idea how many undocumented immigrants are in the Republic, his department will place a freeze on all visas obtained by foreign nationals, considering that the Lubisi Report highlighted widespread fraud and corruption; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether his department will open an amnesty period that will give foreign nationals six months to regularise their stay or exit the borders of the Republic voluntarily; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. There is no plan to place a freeze on all visas obtained by foreign nationals as this would result in denial of visas services for foreign nationals who have legitimate rights to be in the Republic. The Lubisi report findings are being acted on with necessary action on transgressions to be followed.
  2. There are no plans to provide amnesty to foreign nationals as there needs to be a legitimate national emergency warranting such a decision.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3782

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether his department has renewed its anti-virus software licence; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total number of Home Affairs offices do not have the required anti-virus software on their computers and (b) are the further relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

The Department is not able to provide details that pertains to the IT security environment and divulging IT security information in public may compromise security and increase the risk of cyber-attacks.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3781

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Concerning vulnerability assessments and penetration tests on the Home Affairs information technology systems conducted by the Home Affairs Internal Audit Unit, what are the (a) exact dates on which (i) internal and (ii) external assessments were conducted in the period 1 January 2021 up to the latest specified date in 2023 for which information is available and (b) full and relevant details of the outcomes?

Reply:

The Vulnerability assessment and penetration tests reviews were conducted as follows at the Department of Home Affairs:

a) Exact dates

(i) Internal assessments

Internal Audit conducted internal assessment in 2021/2022 financial year and the report was issued on 23 February 2022.

(i) External assessments

Internal Audit conducted external assessment in 2020/2021 financial year and the report was issued on 07 December 2020 and also conducted internal and external assessments in 2022/2023 financial year and report was issued on 24 July 2023.

The outcomes of the assessments and tests contains sensitive information which can compromise IT security architecture and can lead to cyber-attacks because it details actions taken in different environments.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3736

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Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)In light of the Pan-African vision of a united and borderless Africa, what other African countries are engaged in talks regarding visa waiver; (2) whether Nigeria is among the specified countries; if not, what are the reasons for not concluding visa waiver talks with Nigeria which is the biggest economy in Africa; if so, by what date will the visa waiver agreement with Nigeria be implemented?

Reply:

1. Currently South Africa is engaged in talks of a visa waiver with Uganda.

2. Nigeria is currently not amongst the countries being considered as this is not amongst the issues being discussed with Nigeria. There is a process to follow when discussions on visa waivers are being considered. For now, Nigeria is one of 34 countries to which an e-Visa was extended.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3610

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What are the reasons that the Immigration Affairs branch of his department continues to (a) achieve below 50% of its set targets and (b) struggle with vulnerabilities pertaining to fraud, corruption and security breaches; (2) (a) how are the specified challenges resolved and (b) what total number of overstay notices were issued to foreign nationals who had overstayed their visa-free stay or visas since 2019?

Reply:

(1)(a) It is common cause that the Department of Home Affairs is grossly under-staffed at 39% staffing. A Business Plan was sent to Treasury to this effect. Treasury provided R 260 Million to capacitate the Department. However, this took the Department to a 42% staffing level. This translates to 700 extra staff. Unfortunately, the Department had to make a choice between staffing the Civics branch or the Immigration Branch more. The choice we made, which was also made in past instances, was to send more of the staff to the Civics branch because every single South African depends on it for documentation. Hence, the Immigration branch will always perform much less than the Civics branch.

(1)(b) When coming to fraud the Department of Home Affairs is the only government department with a Counter Corruption branch. This branch is doing a lot. It even has a Chief Director for Analysis and Prevention and it is very working well.

(2)(a) The department has implemented the different quality assurance levels, which allows for better control in the adjudication process. It minimises the risk of security breaches and fraudulent activities. The department has a Counter Corruption branch, who are monitoring the work of officials. They are also working closely with other relevant agencies to help prevent such activities from taking place as well as to identify those officials who are involved in such activities.

(2)(b) According to the department's Enhanced Movement Control System (EMCS), 137 846 overstay notices were issued to foreign nationals who had overstayed their visa-free stay or visas since 2019.

END

24 November 2023 - NW3570

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Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What is the (a) total budget of the newly established Border Management Authority (BMA) in the 2023-24 financial year and (b) estimated total budget of the BMA in the next two financial years?

Reply:

1(a) The total Budget for the BMA in the 2023- 2024 is R1 341 225 000.

1(b) The estimated total budget of the BMA in the next two financial years is R2 880 770 000 (R1 407 692 000 and R1 473 078 000 for 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years respectively).

 

END

20 November 2023 - NW3586

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What are the details of the actions that were taken to address the issue of the undocumented foreign nationals near Kleinzee in the Northern Cape, who were released from prison because officials of his department did not process them in time, as it was indicated by a certain political party (details furnished) at the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs with his department on 30 March 2023?

Reply:

The South African Police Services (SAPS) undertook an operation in Kleinzee on 19 to 21 September 2023. This was a provincial-led operation. To this end, the Department of Home Affairs has written to the SAPS at national level to request them to ensure proper coordination for similar operations by the NATJOINTS and Justice Crime Prevention Cluster (JCPS) inclusive of all law enforcement agencies. This includes the Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA).

This is to ensure that when operations of these magnitude are undertaken, there is better coordination and joint planning at a national level to ensure adequate resources are deployed when executing these operations that are intelligence-led.

END

20 November 2023 - NW3654

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether, with the reference to the judgment in the matter of Women’s Legal Centre Trust v President of the Republic of South Africa and Others handed down on 28 June 2022, wherein the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) set 24 months to enable the President, the Cabinet and Parliament to remedy defects in the registration of Muslim marriages, his department has sought a legal opinion on whether the proposed circular for the registration of Muslim marriages meets the requirements of the judgment; if not, why not; if so, why does the circular fall short; (2) whether his department intends to approach the ConCourt to request an extension of the deadline; if not what is the position in this regard; if so, why?

Reply:

1. The Department is currently in the process of developing the draft Marriage Bill, which Bill was published for public comments in July 2023, and the public participation stage closed on 31 August 2023. Following the lapse of the date for the public to submit written submissions, the Department proceeded to revise the draft Bill to incorporate the written submissions received.

In accordance with the Department’s Annual Performance Plan, the draft Marriage Bill will be introduced into Parliament within the current financial year, ending March 2024.

2. No, The Department is of the view that the draft Marriage Bill will be introduced into Parliament timeously to allow Parliament to finalise the Bill accordingly. END

20 November 2023 - NW3653

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether he has found that the date of the 2024 national and provincial elections will be able to be proclaimed before the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill is signed into law and promulgated; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Electoral Matters Amendment Bill will be submitted to Cabinet seeking Cabinet’s approval for the Bill to be introduced into Parliament within this current financial year. The Minister, and the Department, is working tirelessly to introduce the Bill timeously into Parliament, and allow for Parliament to process the Bill accordingly.

END

20 November 2023 - NW3481

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What (a) is the status of the appointment of coastal border guards for the Border Management Authority in the 2023-24 financial year, (b) is the number of the specified guards that will be appointed in the specified period, (c) by what date will the guards be appointed, (d) what is the annual salary budget for the guards and (e) what sea vessels will the guards have access to in order to exercise their functions seaward to the outer limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone as defined in the Maritime Zones Act, Act 15 of 1994; (2) whether the coastal border guards will patrol the seaward area to the outer limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone as defined in the Maritime Zones Act, Act 15 of 1994; if not, (a) will they be based at ports of entry and (b) what will be their functions; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1)(a) The BMA appointed 50 maritime Border Guards who started on 25 September 2023 for training and onboarding. They were onboarded in all functions related to maritime border control.

(1)(b) 50

(1)(c) They are already appointed and will be placed from 15 November 2023.

(1)(d) The salary levels are at entry level 6 – R241 000.00 per annum.

(1)(e) The BMA is currently in the procurement phase with ARMSCOR for maritime capabilities.

(2)(a) The BMA remains responsible for border law enforcement (including maritime – 12 nautical miles) and the border guards will be based at seaport from where operations will be launched.

(2)(b) Enforcement of maritime laws within the Law Enforcement area is in accordance with the BMA Act.

END