Questions and Replies
06 November 2023 - NW3369
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Regarding the Ministerial Review Panel and data recovery process at the Government Printing Works, (a) what are the total costs (i) of the ministerial review panel to date, and (ii) incurred on the project to recover and/or recompile data lost in (aa) February 2021, (bb) January 2022, (cc) March 2022 and (dd) April 2022 and (b) from which budget item were the costs taken in each case?
Reply:
(a)(i) The total cost incurred on the implementation of the Ministerial Review Panel recommendations amounts to R4 184 843.18.
(a)(ii)(aa) No costs were incurred by the GPW on the project to recover and/or recompile data lost in February 2021.
The following organisations were consulted to assist with data recovery:
• Hewlett Packard (OEM)
• CSSI data recovery specialists
• State Security Agency (SSA)
GPW did not raise purchase orders for all the above organisations, therefore no costs were incurred.
(a)(ii)(bb) No data loss was experienced in January 2022, therefore no costs were incurred.
(a)(ii)(cc) GPW did not raise purchase orders on the project to recover and/or recompile data lost in March 2022, therefore no costs were incurred.
(a)(ii)(dd) No data loss was experienced in April 2022, therefore no costs were incurred to recover/recompile data lost.
(b) Funds were allocated to Professional Services and the R4 184 843.18 budget was taken against this budget item.
END
01 November 2023 - NW3185
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to his reply to question 2018 on 28 June 2023, what (a) steps have been taken to improve the average turn-around time and (b)(i) processes, (ii) procedures, (iii) milestones and (iv) deadlines are being put in place to assist and facilitate applicants who have incomplete and/or incorrectly completed applications?
Reply:
a) The Department has instituted weekly management meetings chaired by the Director-General. The purpose of the meeting is to monitor performance on the turnaround times for targets that are at risk of not being achieved. The Acting Deputy Director-General: Immigration Services also has weekly performance monitoring meetings with the management of Permitting where a status report is tabled on the progress being made against the visa and permits backlog.
(b)(i-iii) The department has developed a backlog eradication plan which aims to have the backlogs cleared. 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 Residence Permits. The plan includes the utilisation of current capacity in the Immigration Branch 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 to supplement existing capacity and resources are also being looked at and may be implemented should it be deemed necessary to do so to support the eradication plan. The Department is also reviewing the immigration permitting delegations as well as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). The department envisages to have cleared the backlog by June 2024 for all categories of visas.
(b)(iv) With regards to incomplete or incorrectly completed applications, Immigration Regulation 9 prescribes that an application for any visa referred to in section 11 up to and including sections 20 and 22 of the Act shall be made together with all supporting documents. Once an application is received at Home Affairs it is processed with the documents that were submitted by the applicant. The Department is therefore unable to assist applicants with incomplete documents once an application has been received at the adjudication hub. A checklist available at the time of applications is one tool that assists and guides applicants to submit all required documents.
END
01 November 2023 - NW3415
Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to the online Branch Appointment Booking System of his department, which specific assistance is provided to computer illiterate clients who are unable to make online bookings at the Bloemfontein Home Affairs offices?
Reply:
The Office is assisting clients without appointments on two counters dedicated for walk in clients. There is also a tablet in the office for those who need assistance to do bookings.
END
27 October 2023 - NW3177
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the full relevant details of the new model on migration that he is finalising work on to facilitate ease of movement of people, goods, and services between the Republic and Lesotho, following on the inaugural Bi-National Commission between the two countries that was held on 28 September 2023?
Reply:
The discussion on the migration models between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho will be joint research on how migration should be managed between the two countries recognising Lesotho’s geo-political position as a landlocked country. All movement between Lesotho and third countries involves transit through South Africa as well as regular movement between the peoples of the country on a daily basis. The first phase of this research will be to do research on similar models in other countries and then do comparisons with the current challenges between South Africa and Lesotho. The two countries will be meeting in November 2023 to discuss the terms of reference and agree on timelines for the research.
END
24 October 2023 - NW3171
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What amount has been allocated to the newly launched Border Management Authority in the 2023-24 financial year?
Reply:
As part of its establishment, the BMA integrated a total of 2100 staff members from 4 different government departments. The departments include:
- The Department of Home Affairs.
- The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
- The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
- The Department of Health.
As part of the transfer, the BMA received R1.3 billion (R1 341 224 000) for Compensation of Employees as well as Goods and Services from the four transferring departments, in line with the transfer of functions and resources. The transferred amount was not new money, but money that was already in the respective departmental baselines.
In addition, the BMA requested a budget of R2.6 billion as new money from the National Treasury in order to capacitate the Authority, but was only allocated less than 10% of the requested amount. The allocated new money by National Treasury was R250 million to the BMA for the 2023/24 Financial Year.
This led to the total budget of the Authority being R1.59 billion, which is a total of the R1.3 billion old money and R250 million new money allocated by the National Treasury.
END
24 October 2023 - NW3207
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
In light of the fact that a full e-Visa system is a prerequisite for the revival and growth of tourism in the Republic, what are the details of the (a) roadmap outlining the targeted milestones and (b) timelines for the comprehensive implementation of e-Visas in the Republic?
Reply:
a) The Department has implemented an e-Visa system for tourist purposes, attendance of meetings and conferences and short-term business visas for 35 countries that are not visa exempt.
b) This e-Visa system will be extended to Study, Business and Intra Company Visas categories by the end of this financial year.
END
17 October 2023 - NW3097
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether the data contained in the biometric databases of the (a) Home Affairs National Identification System and (b) Automated Biometric Information System is end to end encrypted when accessed by banks and other clients; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the security systems and standards that are implemented in this regard; (2) Whether it is possible for clients to receive any data such as (a) fingerprints, (b) photo, (c) identity number, (d) full name and/or (e) any other personal information in any format that can be stored in a data store of their own; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes, the data contained in the biometric databases of the (a) Home Affairs National Identification System and (b) Automated Biometric Information System is encrypted. The security systems and standards that are implemented are HTTPS using TLSv1.2 and entrust digital certificates.
2. No, the client cannot store any data on their own. They can only do verification against DHA based on the request of the client.
END
17 October 2023 - NW3005
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, given that several questions have already been asked about the poor service offered at his department’s office located in Main Road, Somerset West, Western Cape, but there has been no change and problems are continuing, any progress has been made with regard to dealing with the very bad service offered by the specified office; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the reasons that the queues continue to be so bad that people are queuing overnight to access the office, despite the office allegedly working on an appointment system; (3) whether any progress has been made regarding the issue of assisting the elderly and handicapped people to gain access into to the building; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The following progress has been made:
-
-
- A civic supervisor was appointed who monitors service delivery and the process to clear the long queues.
- A staff member is designated to manage the queues daily.
- The prioritised categories of clients for example, persons with disabilities, the aged (senior citizens) and mothers with babies are referred into the office.
- The office utilizes all possible back office staff to assist at counters during the mornings in order to expedite quicker service to awaiting clients
- The supervisor also assists the team dealing with client queries and complaints. Complaints received are escalated within the office management structure. If not resolved it is escalated to the district and provincial level where necessary.
- Internal formal disciplinary processes are followed where there are complaints against staff not performing or assisting clients properly. There is 1 formal disciplinary matter currently at this office.
- The Somerset-West office now also provides for late registrations of births for all categories. Immigration services are also now rendered at this office.
-
2. The office is not aware of clients queueing overnight. It must be noted that the building is shared with the Department of Employment and Labour and that 1 entrance is used for both. Often clients assume that all awaiting clients are there for the DHA services, which inflates the numbers. It has been stated that DHA queues are demarcated and separated according to services into separate queues in order to assist clients as speedily as possible. The office is obliged to assist clients who made bookings and still seeks to assist as many walk-in clients as possible. The Booking system is advertised with posters and during the mornings an official assist and advise client to use the booking system. Some clients opt however to wait to be served as a walk-in.
3. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are under the categories of clients who are prioritised. These clients report at the entrance and are assisted by officials in a prioritised manner. The Office has a ramp used by clients who have mobility challenges and assistance is afforded by staff and security officials to enter the office.
END
17 October 2023 - NW2893
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the project to employ 10 000 youth to digitise Home Affairs records, what (a) are the relevant details of the location of each office that implemented the project and (b) total number of (i) youth are working on the project and (ii) records have been digitised as at 31 August 2023?
Reply:
(a) The location of each office that has implemented the project is in the attached table marked Annexure A.
(b)(i) The first phase of the project recruited a total of 2000 youth. Of these, some have received other appointments and the number has reduced to 1146. The Department is filling the vacancies. The second phase is to recruit 4000 youth and this recruitment is underway.
(b)(ii) As explained in my previous reply to your question (question 220), the first phase of the digitisation process focused on preparation of records; that is, detailed indexing and condition assessment of records. The second phase which includes full scanning and indexing of records in the production environment started in June 2023 in Gauteng at our New Cooperation Building, Pretoria. As at 31 August 2023, the total number of records that had been digitised are 328 800, inclusive of 3 451 613 images. This performance is far above the target of 12 000 records set for the second quarter (July – September 2023) of the 2023/24 financial year.
END
17 October 2023 - NW2894
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
During the first quarter of the 2023-24 financial year, what (a) were the total office hours lost due to (i) load shedding, (ii) office closures, (iii) water outages, (iv) system downtime at Home Affairs offices and (v) downtime of Home Affairs verification scanners at health facilities and (b) was the total percentage of uptime of the Home Affairs civic services system hosted by the State Information Technology Agency?
Reply:
(a) Front offices keep registers recording instances and time where offices were unable to operate. During Quarter 1, 2023/2024 FY the total number of office hours lost calculated to 15 289 hours.
(i) Load shedding contributed 6242 hours,
(ii) Office closures (protest action) 46 hours,
(iii) Water outages contributed 329 hours,
(iv) System downtimes contributed 8672 hours.
(v) Verification scanners will only be down as a result of connectivity and or load shedding.
(b) The current generic Service Level Agreement (SLA) status reflects as follows:
Month |
Reachability (network) |
Availability (power) |
April 23 |
87.68% |
85.34% |
May 23 |
85.62% |
82.95% |
June 23 |
94.51% |
91.89% |
END
17 October 2023 - NW3119
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What total number of Home Affairs offices (a) have proper information technology support and backup for instances of load shedding and (b) are without support and backup?
Reply:
a) All DHA offices have information technology support even though it is not always on-site support because we have 48 resources in total providing IT support across all DHA offices. One IT support resource is assigned to each District within the Province, while specialists at head office provide assistance for all of them remotely when they log a call. The Department has installed generators in Live Capture offices to ensure backup power during load shedding.
b) As indicated earlier, all offices are given IT support physically and remotely and where no generators are installed like in non-modernised offices, officials collect manual applications for later capturing.
END
17 October 2023 - NW3110
Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What is the (i) total number of uncollected ID documents and (ii) breakdown of the number of uncollected ID documents in each province, (b)(i) which Home Affairs offices have the highest number of uncollected IDs and (ii) what has he found to be the main reasons for non-collection and (c) what steps has his department taken to reduce the number of uncollected IDs and ensure that people collect their IDs?
Reply:
(a)(i) Total number of uncollected ID documents is 566 429 Out of 566 429 cases there are 63 452 deceased cases leaving a balance of 502 977 uncollected IDs.
(a)(ii) The breakdown per Province is depicted in the table below:
PROVINCES |
ALIVE |
DECEASED |
TOTAL |
EC |
61839 |
11562 |
73401 |
FS |
34986 |
5004 |
39990 |
GP |
111841 |
13177 |
125018 |
KZN |
68337 |
8492 |
76829 |
LP |
42806 |
6078 |
48884 |
MP |
30839 |
3403 |
34242 |
NW |
33861 |
4396 |
38257 |
NC |
15905 |
2822 |
18727 |
WC |
63500 |
6225 |
69725 |
Mobile Unit |
6596 |
1697 |
8293 |
E-Channel |
32467 |
596 |
33063 |
G /TOTAL |
502977 |
63452 |
566429 |
(b)(i) The table below depicts the offices per Province with 4000 and more IDs on hand pending collection.
NO |
Province |
Top Five (5) Offices Per Province |
Volume on Alive Status |
Volume on Deceased Status |
1 |
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
8350 |
2015 |
East London |
3834 |
782 |
||
Mthatha |
3408 |
645 |
||
Uitenhage |
3274 |
646 |
||
Lusikisiki |
2321 |
318 |
||
2 |
Gauteng |
Akasia |
8344 |
1031 |
Pretoria |
7371 |
780 |
||
Johannesburg |
7274 |
1597 |
||
Mamelodi |
6516 |
459 |
||
Randburg |
5996 |
687 |
||
3 |
Western Cape |
Cape Town |
7396 |
745 |
Wynberg |
5726 |
699 |
||
Bellville |
5528 |
506 |
||
Paarl |
4437 |
470 |
||
Nyanga |
4304 |
532 |
||
4 |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Ethekwini |
6813 |
639 |
Pinetown |
4867 |
549 |
||
Pietermaritzburg |
4496 |
643 |
||
Commercial Road |
4212 |
683 |
||
Ugu |
3343 |
512 |
||
5 |
Free State |
Bloemfontein |
6744 |
783 |
Sasolburg |
3292 |
635 |
||
Welkom |
3122 |
631 |
||
Koffiefontein |
2519 |
727 |
||
Bultfontein |
2402 |
173 |
||
6 |
North West |
Rustenburg |
4107 |
551 |
Klerksdorp |
3018 |
776 |
||
Brits |
2763 |
392 |
||
Mmabatho |
2203 |
538 |
||
Mankwe |
2035 |
274 |
||
7 |
Limpopo |
Polokwane |
3832 |
641 |
Lebowakgomo |
2704 |
387 |
||
Tzaneen |
2671 |
730 |
||
Groblersdal |
2166 |
561 |
||
Thohoyandou |
2146 |
332 |
||
8 |
Northern Cape |
Upington |
2613 |
749 |
Kimberley |
2109 |
342 |
||
Kuruman |
1798 |
371 |
||
De Aar |
975 |
310 |
||
Jan Kempdorp |
897 |
201 |
||
9 |
Mpumalanga |
Nelspruit |
2505 |
318 |
Witbank |
2485 |
359 |
||
White River |
2128 |
367 |
||
Piet Retief |
1815 |
201 |
||
Lydenburg |
1749 |
193 |
(b)(ii) The main reasons clients are not collecting their IDs are as follows:
- Clients having valid Green ID Books resulting in applicants not returning to collect the new Smart ID Card.
- Financial constraints (e.g. no money to travel to DHA offices).
- Long queues at offices discourages clients.
- Clients are unable to collect Smart ID Cards during system downtime.
- No updated contact details provided by applicant.e.g. number on system no longer exists or contact number not belonging to applicant.
- Time Constraints.
- No money to travel to DHA Offices.
- Travel distance to DHA Offices - office may be far from they stay/ work etc.
- Applicant relocated to another town / city / country etc.
- Applicant is deceased.
(c) The Department recently enhanced its Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) with a “collections” option in order for clients to schedule an appointment to collect their IDs in all live capture offices.
The Modernisation system was also enhanced with a new capability for front offices to “redirect” IDs and passports to alternative offices as required by the client.
The Department also communicates to the public when various offices will open on Saturdays. Clients are encouraged to take advantage of the extended hours on Saturdays to collect documents they have applied for and not wait for the last minute.
At local front office level, clients are also being called in to collect while mobile units are taking IDs to rural areas, Schools and high volume communities for distribution of IDs for collection.
There is reactivation of SMS to reminding clients for clients to collect the uncollected IDs at the offices.
There are also Community Outreach Programmes in partnerships with IEC, Department of Basic Education, Metros, Districts and Local Municipalities. Uncollected ID volumes are shared with stakeholders to market and encourage clients to collect their documents through the various platforms provided.
The Department is also in the process of preparing the necessary resources to have high volume offices open on Saturdays from 30 Sept to 11 Nov 2023 (5 Saturdays only) for collection purposes as a build-up to Voter Registration Weekend taking place on 18 and 19 November 2023.
END
04 October 2023 - NW2976
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What has been the latest development in progress towards providing Palestinians visa-free entry into the Republic?
Reply:
The visa waiver for Palestinian ordinary passport holders was implemented on 15 September 2023. Negotiations with Palestinian counterparts on the Agreement to waive visa requirements for Diplomatic passport holders only, are at an advanced stage.
END
03 October 2023 - NW2648
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) How do the counter-return operations of his department that are part of interventions to combat illegal mining, particularly in Gauteng, differ from the traditional border patrol activities of the department; (2) whether the counter-return operations were budgeted for; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether additional budget needs to be allocated; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), which the Department is part of and which now also includes the Border Management Authority (BMA), has developed a strategy to deal with countering illegal mining throughout the country. There is special focus on four provinces namely Gauteng Province, North-West Province, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province due to the history of mining.
2. The counter-return operations include other law enforcement agencies.
3. The JCPS Cluster is working on additional funding requests for counter-return operations.
END
29 September 2023 - NW2604
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)With reference to his recent comments that the newly acquired eVisa system, which is meant to facilitate easier entry for tourists, is being abused by nationals (details furnished), what measures will his department put in place to identify other persons who have abused this process and who may already have entered the Republic; (2) whether he intends scrapping the eVisas; if not, (3) what measures will he put in place to prevent the abuse of the eVisa system?
Reply:
- We have strengthened the verification process of bank statements and other supporting documents. We have had engagements with banks to secure nodal persons to assist in verifications. Weekly meeting are being held with the eVisa adjudicators to review their process and enforce the verification process and update their SOP. Cases that require in depth investigation will be referred to the mission for interview and verification of supporting documents. Missions are engaging the local banks to also inform them of the need to verify their bank statements.
- No, the system is working, it only requires enhancement for verification process.
- The system will be further enhanced to assist with detection of duplication use of sponsors and their contact numbers and duplication of accommodation information.
END
21 September 2023 - NW2858
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether, in light of the fact that the public-private partnership between his department and the banks for applications and renewals of Smart IDs and passports comes to an end in September 2023, the partnership will be extended; if not, what is the position of his department with regard to citizens who prefer making use of banks for Smart ID and passport applications and renewals; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what (a) are the names and (b) is the total number of banks that his department had partnered with since the inception of the initiative
Reply:
1. The Memorandum of Understanding with the banks will be extended to 31 March 2024.
(2)(a) ABSA, Discovery, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Bank.
(2)(b) Total number of bank branches is 29 and the breakdown is depicted below:
- ABSA: 5
- FNB: 7
- Nedbank: 6
- Standard Bank: 9
- Investec Bank: 1
- Discovery Bank: 1
END
21 September 2023 - NW2857
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What total number of complaints of sexual harassment were received from employees of his department in 2022, (b) how was each complaint dealt with and (c) what were the repercussions for employees that were found guilty of sexual misconduct.
Reply:
a) The Department received three (3) complaints of Sexual Harassment in the financial year 2022/2023.
b) All cases (3) were investigated and two complaints were found to be substantive and one was not, owing to lack of evidence.
c) One of the two cases found to be substantive, the perpetrator was charged and found guilty and the sanction of two months’ suspension without pay was pronounced by the Chairperson.
On the other substantive case the matter was investigated and the perpetrator charged, but during the process of the hearing the complainant passed on.
END
19 September 2023 - NW2900
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the full details of all persons who were issued with diplomatic passports (a) in the past three financial years and (b) since 1 January 2023?
Reply:
The Honourable Member is herewith informed that Diplomatic passports are issued according to the South African Diplomatic Passport Policy and that the Department of Home Affairs is not the custodian of this policy, and similarly not responsible for the application(s) as well as the issuance of this category of passports whatsoever. Hence it is requested that any information relating to Diplomatic Passports should be addressed to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO).
END
19 September 2023 - NW2746
De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What total amount did (i) his department and (ii) each entity reporting to him pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?
Reply:
The Department and entities have responded as follows:
(i) Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
(a)(aa) 2020-21: R340 400
(a)(bb) 2021-22: R309 350
(a)(cc) 2022-23: R222 710
(b) 2020-21: Government Printing Works
2021-22: Government Printing Works
2022-23: Makgoka Consulting provide the editing, layout and design while Government Printing Works provided the printing services.
(c) 2020-21: 1000
2021-22: 500
2022-23: Intended number to print is 100
(ii) Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
(a)(aa) 2020-21: R146 520
(a)(bb) 2021-22: R 97 128
(a)(cc) 2022-23: Still in progress
(b) 2020-21: Inside Data South (Pty) provided the service
2021-22: Fine Art Printers provided the service
2022-23: Still in progress
(c) 2020-21: 800
2021-22: 600
2022-23: Still in progress
(iii) Government Printing Works (GPW)
(a)(aa) 2020-21: The GPW Annual Report was designed internally and a PDF copy produced for tabling in Parliament and Publishing on the GPW’s website. No hardcopies of the Annual Report were printed.
(a)(bb) 2021-22: The GPW Annual Report has been designed internally and a PDF copy produced for tabling in Parliament and Publishing on the GPW’s website. No hardcopies of the Annual Report were printed.
(a)(cc) 2022-23: The 2022/23 Annual Report is not yet produced due to an audit that has just commenced in August 2023, by the Auditor General of South Africa.
(b) 2020-21: Annual Reports were designed internally by GPW and PDF copies produced.
2021-22: No hardcopies of the Annual Reports were printed as only PDF copies were produced.
2022-23: In progress
(c) 2020-21: GPW did not print any hard copies of its annual report except development of the PDF copy.
2021-22: GPW did not print any hard copies of its annual report except development of the PDF copy.
2022-23: Annual Report is not yet produced due to an audit by the Auditor General of South Africa that has just commenced in August 2023. that has just commenced in August 2023.
END
19 September 2023 - NW2530
Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether he has appointed the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel in terms of Section 23 of the Electoral Amendment Act, Act 1 of 2023; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date was the specified panel appointed, (b) what number of members constitute the panel, (c) who are the members of the panel and (d) what is the remuneration of each member; (2) whether the panel has commenced with their functions as outlined in Section 23 (2)(a) of the specified Act; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) what are the relevant details; (3) whether he has found that the National Dialogue on Coalitions and the Declaration and proposed framework pre-empt the work of the panel; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how does he intend to align the apparent parallel processes?
Reply:
(1)(a) I issued a Notice calling upon nominations for appointment of individuals to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (the “Panel”). Nominations have been received and the nominations are currently being analysed. As required, under section 23 of the Electoral Amendment Act, 2023 (Act No. 1 of 2023) (the “Amendment Act”), the Minister is enjoined to establish the Panel in consultation with the Independent Electoral Commission (the “IEC”). Further, as contemplated in section 23(8)(b) of the Amendment Act, the Minister must appoint nine (9) members to the Panel.
(1)(b) The Minister is still considering the nominations received. The Minister is required to consult with the IEC. It is also important to indicate that section 23(8)(b) of the Amendment Act enjoins the Minister to appoint members of the Panel after approval of the candidates by the National Assembly.
(1)(c) Section 23(14)(b) of the Amendment Act requires the Minister to determine the remunerations and allowances in consultation with the Minister of Finance. The Minister will consult with the Minister of Finance in this regard.
2. The Minister has not, as yet, established the Panel. The Minister is still considering the nominations received.
3. The work relating to Coalition Government is done through the Office of the President.
END
17 July 2023 - NW2238
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) On what date is it envisaged that his department will finalise the matter of a certain person (name and details furnished) who discovered upon his appointment in 2008 when his identity document was blocked that the specified document was defrauded in 2006; (2) whether an investigation into the matter has been initiated; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the outcomes since the matter was reported to his department in 2009 and (b)(i) total number of similar matters have been reported to his department in the past three years that have not been resolved to date and (ii) caused the delays?
Reply:
1. Section 12 of the Identification Act, 1997 (Act No.68 of 1997) provides for the “Verification of particulars” and states as follows:
“The Director-General may—
(a) request any person to furnish the Director-General with proof of the correctness of any particulars which have been furnished in respect of such person in any docurnent in terms of this Act; and
(b) investigate or cause to be investigated any matter in respect particulars are required to be recorded in the population register.”
In order to comply with the above Act, the person referred to herein was to furnish the Department with duly completed DHA-9, DHA-24, DHA-288 forms and a copy of mother’s ID for the case to be finalised. It should be noted that Mr Nkeane Shebangane Reginald indeed visited the office during February 2023 and was again requested to avail the outstanding documents. To redress the matter, the Department has visited Mr Nkeane in June 2023 and provided him with the necessary support to complete the above required forms and as such his matter has been amicably resolved. The markers set on his identity number have been lifted as a result.
(2)(a) The investigation has been conducted and the outcome is that the ID was fraudulently used by a Lesotho national who was deported in 2008. In August 2009 the fraudster applied for an ID upon which his fingerprint matched with a foreign fingerprint record belonging to a Lesotho contract worker. On the 23rd November 2009, a message was placed on the system that the applicant needs to be subjected to an interview. On 21 December 2010, a secondary message was placed on the system requesting for an Immigration Questionnaire, a Recommendation letter and a Renouncement letter to renounce the ID number as it was already used by a foreign national. On 28 August 2012, Mr Nkeane was interviewed by Immigration Services Branch and the investigation report sent to Head Office. After investigation by Head Office, it was concluded that Mr Nkeane was sharing the identity number with a foreign national from Lesotho. Mr Nkeane however insisted on maintaining his original ID number. On 27 September 2012, a final message was placed on the system that Mr Nkeane must submit a fully completed DHA-9 application to upload his fingerprints in the system so that his matter is finally resolved. The outstanding documents were received in June 2023 and the matter has been finalised.
(2)(b)(i) There are 13 090 files where outstanding documents are needed from clients before cases can be finalised. Clients are informed telephonically and/or through correspondence.
(2)(b)(ii) Delays are caused by non-responsiveness of clients.
END
17 July 2023 - NW2274
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What mechanisms has his department implemented to oversee and ensure that funeral parlours and associations are vetted in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, Act 51 of 1992, as amended?
Reply:
1. The mechanisms to oversee the designation of funeral parlours are stipulated on Section 29(1) of Regulations on the Registration of Births and Deaths Act which provides the requirements as follows:
“An application for designation as a funeral undertaker in terms of section 22A(1) of the Act must be made on Form DHA–1774 illustrated in Annexure 21 and be accompanied by —
(a) a certified copy of the identity document of the applicant;
(b) a certificate of competence issued by the relevant municipality or authority;
(c) where applicable, a business licence;
(d) a recent valid tax registration certificate for the business issued by the South African Revenue Service;
(e) proof of registration with any federation or association of funeral undertakers;
(f) proof of payment of the applicable fee.
(2) In order to qualify for designation as funeral undertaker, a person must―
a. be a South African citizen of 18 years or older;
b. not be an official employed by the Department; and
c. demonstrate to the Director-General his or her knowledge of the Act by successfully completing a written examination conducted by the Department from time to time.
(4) A designated funeral undertaker who acts as an informant on behalf of the family of the deceased must submit proof of appointment to confirm him or her as the representative of the family of the deceased whose notice of death is being given by such funeral undertaker.
(5) The Director-General may withdraw the designation as a funeral undertaker if satisfied that the funeral undertaker has not complied with the provisions of the Act or has been convicted of a criminal offence without the option of a fine.
END
17 July 2023 - NW2272
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Considering that cross-border crime, particularly in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, has left community members living in fear and that since the start of the year there have been countless incidents, including the murders of anti-crime activists, Mr Sandile Mteshe Tembe and Mr Judah Mthethwa, what steps has his department taken to combat cross-border crime in the absence of a fully functioning Border Management Authority?
Reply:
The Border Management Authority has since July 2022, deployed 33 trained Border Guards attached to the Kosibay port of entry and are responsible for the management of the legitimate movement of people and goods. The Border Guards were in terms of Section 334(1), of the Criminal Procedure Act, appointed by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development as “Peace Officers”
In relation to the curbing of crime, the Border Guards execute their border functions in that border environment in collaboration and coordination with other security structures that includes the South African Defence Force (borderline) and with the South African Police Service in the declared ports of entry.
The success obtained since their deployment include the following:
- Arrested undocumented migrants: 360;
- Recovered and stolen vehicles: Toyota Prado and Green Toyota Conquest;
- Confiscation of illicit goods: 3 Bales of second-hand clothing;
- Detection and recovery of stolen properties: 3 Cell phones, 4 laptops and gearbox;
- Seizure of dagga; 33.924kg;
- One suspect was arrested for possession of Maritime Resources (lobsters and crayfish): Valued at R73 600; and
- One suspect was arrested for possession of human tissue (Bellybutton).
END
17 July 2023 - NW1960
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to electronic visa applications (a) in the past three financial years and (b) from 1 April 2023 to date, (i) what (aa) total number of applications were rejected in each month and (bb) are the reasons for the rejections in each case, (ii) from which countries were applications rejected in each month and (iii) what is the average time taken between an application received and an application rejected in each month?
Reply:
The Total received in the last 3 Financial years:
- 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023 = 28 761
- Total received from 1 April 2023 to May 2023 = 6 824
(i)(aa) Total rejected – 16190 in 3 years
(i)(bb) Most common reasons for rejection are:
1. Bank statements
- Invalid
- Not certified
- More than 3 months old
2. Lack of supporting documents
3. No air ticket or expired air ticket
(ii) The top 10 countries for rejection are Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Egypt, Philippines, China, Mexico, Uganda, Cameroon and Ethiopia.
(iii) Average turnaround time: 10 working days.
END
03 July 2023 - NW2220
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Regarding the project to employ 10 000 youth to digitise Home Affairs records, (a) where have the first cohort been posted, (b) what number has been posted at each location and (c) what number of records have been digitised at each of the specified locations since the posting of each cohort?
Reply:
- The first cohort of the youth has been posted in the following provinces:
Name of Province |
Eastern Cape |
Free State |
Kwazulu-Natal |
Limpopo Province |
Mpumalanga |
Northern Cape |
North West |
Western Cape |
Gauteng |
- The breakdown of youth deployment is as follows:
Eastern Cape |
102 |
Free State |
32 |
Kwazulu-Natal |
136 |
Limpopo Province |
171 |
Mpumalanga |
55 |
Northern Cape |
4 |
North West |
53 |
Western Cape |
11 |
Gauteng |
503 |
Head Office |
60 |
Total |
1167 |
- The first phase of the digitisation process is the preparation of records. This work has started in earnest in the provinces through detailed indexing and condition assessment of records. The second phase will include the full scanning which will only commence in Gauteng at a DHA storage facility during June 2023 where the initial system set-up and testing is in progress. To date, the Department has received 12 of the 20 high volume scanners that were procured. Each scanner is capable of scanning 300 pages per minute and can be operated by 6 persons. The first scanner that was installed at BVR for a test run on the 31st March 2023 was able to scan over 10 000 records in 3 hours.
END
03 July 2023 - NW2465
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the total number of tourism visa applications received by his department in the 2022-23 financial year, (a) what total number of visa applications were (i) received and (ii) rejected, (b) for what reasons that they were rejected and (c) what were the nationalities of the persons (i) who had successfully applied and (ii) whose applications were rejected?
Reply:
- Total number of visa applications
- Received: 15 935
- Rejected: 2 084
- The most common reason for rejection were for invalid return flight tickets or no proof of reservation thereof.
- The nationalities of the persons:
- Successfully applied: Attached as Annexure A
- Rejected: Attached as Annexure B
END
03 July 2023 - NW2466
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) Who is the chairperson of the Immigration Advisory Board that was established in terms of section 4 and 5 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002, (b) who are the other members of the board appointed in terms of section 4(2)(a-l) of the specified Act, (c) what number of meetings were held by the board in the 2022-23 financial year, (d) what was the advice and/or outputs of the board to him in the specified financial year and (e) what was the total remuneration paid to the board in the 2022-23 financial year?
Reply:
(a) The current Minister of Home Affairs has not appointed the Immigration Board in terms of Section 4 and 5 of the Immigration Act.
(b) The reason for not doing so is because the Department of Home Affairs is developing new Immigration, Refugee Protection and Citizenship Policy framework which is enroute to Cabinet.
(c) Please refer to answer above.
(d) Please refer to answer above.
(e) Please refer to answer above.
END
03 July 2023 - NW2318
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, with reference to his department’s announcement last year of the recruitment of 10 000 unemployed young graduates for the digitisation of its civic paper records, which was set to happen in three phases (details furnished), all 10 000 unemployed graduates have been recruited into his department; if not, why not; if so, what total number of the more than 350 million civic paper records have been digitised to date;
Reply:
- The employment of the 10 000 unemployed young graduates is in Three Phases. In the first phase we earmark to recruit 2000 unemployed youth, however 1045 were recruited and we are planning to fill the outstanding during the second phase.
The advert for the 2nd 4000 cohort closed on the 03 March 2023 and there were 45028 applications received. The third phase will conclude the recruitment of the last cohort which will be an additional 4000.
Preparations of records for digitisation in provinces has begun with detailed indexing and condition assessing of records. The records digitisation only commenced in Gauteng at back office (BVR) during June 2023 where the initial system set up and testing is in progress and over 35 000 records were digitised by 23 June 2023. To date, the Department has received 12 of the 20 high volume scanners that were procured. Each scanner is capable of scanning 300 pages per minute and can be operated by 6 persons. It is estimated that each scanner will be able to scan at least 108 thousand pages a day.
- Based on the current planning information it is expected that the digitisation of records will be completed by Jan 2026, in line with project deadlines. The last equipment was delivered on 18 June 2023 and the process to complete the digitisation hubs is on track with the physical building being prepared in line with the end to end process of the project.
END
26 June 2023 - NW1798
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, considering that children without birth certificates are at an increased risk of exclusion from government grants and therefore being more likely to suffer from multiple dimensions of poverty, and given the Republic’s high child stunting and poverty levels, his department will pro-actively prioritise the registration of the unregistered children (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, (2) what are the statistics on late registrations of birth for the periods (a) after 31 days, (b) after 31 days but before 1 year, (c) after 1 year but before age 15 and (d) age 15 upwards for the (i) number of applications for late registration of birth received in each year and month at Home Affairs front offices, (ii) number of such applications that have been finalised in the specified period, disaggregated by the year and month they were received by the front offices and (iii) year and month they were finalised, to provide data on the average time it takes the Department to finalise a late registration of birth in the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022; (3) (a) what is the backlog that remains for the processing of applications that were submitted since 2018, disaggregated by the year and month they were submitted by applicants, (b) where are the bottlenecks and (c) what plans are in place to address the bottlenecks to enable the children to become registered?
Reply:
1. The department has a birth registration campaign which requires parents to register new born babies within 30 days and it has set up birth registration offices in health facilities that have maternity wards. For those who have missed that period, we register them through the Late Registration of Birth (LRB) process. Provinces proactively run the Late Registration of Birth (LRB) initiatives in communities where unregistered children are identified.
2. The statistics on late registration of birth are attached as Annexure A on this response and have been disaggregated by months and years.
(3)(a) During Covid-19 (2020/21 and 2021/22) the turn-around times could not be complied with due to the fact that some of the service/s were not rendered due to various stage restrictions and the backlog information is attached as Annexure B.
(3)(b) Bottlenecks:
- Abandoned children: The Department of Social Development (DSD), in line with their mandate on the subject matter, does not submit a complete investigation report from Social Worker to enable DHA to register birth in line with regulations and engagements with DSD are ongoing.
- Cultural practices: Naming of a child after birth is delayed by the family.
- Home births occurrences at far flung areas which are located a further distance from Health Facilities.
- Laissez faire-attitude: Mothers not taking the responsibility to register birth within 30 days until there is a social pressure to do so.
- Applicant/s change their contact details and physical addresses without notifying the Department which makes it difficult to contact them for appointments to attend Late Registration of Birth screenings.
- No shows: Clients not responding when invited for interviews.
- Evidence provided by applicant/s not sufficient to attend to and finalize Late Registration of Birth.
- Lack of supporting documents to finalise the LRB applications.
- DNA referrals - parent(s) do not have the financial means.
3(c) Plans in place to address bottlenecks:
- Committees developed a weekly schedule to adjudicate cases.
- Offices collaborate with Department of Social Development to assist with tracing and transportation of some clients.
- Intensify Community Awareness through Stakeholders and the assistance of GCIS.
- DNA Test Results to finalise LRB applications when there is a lack of supporting documents.
- DHA and DoH to enter into a MoU for waiver of payments for indigents (Parent(s) with no financial means) to pay for DNA once we have concluded discussions on the feasibility of this support.
- Clients are reminded to update DHA when their contact details have changed.
- Follow up through stakeholders when clients do not avail themselves for screening after setting up appointments.
END
2. a) All births 31 days upward
Annexure A
SUMMARY |
ALL BIRTHS 31 DAYS AND ABOVE |
|||||||||||
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
17732 |
17821 |
17426 |
17722 |
18547 |
17688 |
18342 |
18926 |
17739 |
17823 |
17671 |
11844 |
209281 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
19876 |
18674 |
17100 |
16124 |
17817 |
15832 |
19406 |
18336 |
16255 |
19067 |
16299 |
11971 |
206757 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
18942 |
17993 |
14643 |
344 |
53915 |
28752 |
21575 |
20384 |
20707 |
21960 |
18568 |
15133 |
252916 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
20833 |
21659 |
24536 |
18917 |
20240 |
16600 |
14725 |
20295 |
21545 |
22527 |
20374 |
14817 |
237068 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
22653 |
21297 |
22371 |
16481 |
21079 |
17878 |
18383 |
19205 |
18668 |
17007 |
16333 |
11186 |
222541 |
2.(b) Statistics 31 to 364 days
SUMMARY |
31 TO 364 DAYS |
|||||||||||
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
13990 |
12055 |
11061 |
12266 |
13077 |
12266 |
12666 |
12870 |
11776 |
12892 |
11236 |
7478 |
143633 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
13793 |
11654 |
10766 |
11158 |
11850 |
10901 |
12729 |
11130 |
10396 |
11221 |
10033 |
7040 |
132671 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
13640 |
11680 |
9385 |
197 |
53646 |
27028 |
19832 |
18862 |
17926 |
17780 |
14221 |
11789 |
215986 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
18471 |
17944 |
18703 |
14908 |
14901 |
13205 |
12575 |
16702 |
16652 |
16594 |
14091 |
10636 |
185382 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
17315 |
15489 |
15998 |
12621 |
15964 |
14269 |
15085 |
14644 |
13319 |
12665 |
11181 |
7735 |
166285 |
2.(c) 1 to 15 years
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
2489 |
4219 |
4408 |
3600 |
3753 |
3704 |
3869 |
4127 |
4490 |
3834 |
4486 |
2932 |
45911 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3770 |
4605 |
4602 |
3256 |
3726 |
3648 |
4731 |
5033 |
4005 |
5585 |
4359 |
3558 |
50878 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3570 |
4710 |
3584 |
130 |
226 |
1284 |
1355 |
1211 |
2218 |
3216 |
3071 |
2627 |
27202 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
1598 |
2878 |
4247 |
2866 |
3826 |
2499 |
1420 |
2483 |
3493 |
4221 |
4551 |
3102 |
37184 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3280 |
4254 |
4512 |
2749 |
3678 |
2551 |
2457 |
3360 |
3909 |
2803 |
3744 |
2626 |
39923 |
2. d) 16 years upward
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
1253 |
1547 |
1957 |
1856 |
1717 |
1718 |
1807 |
1929 |
1473 |
1097 |
1949 |
1434 |
19737 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
2313 |
2415 |
1732 |
1710 |
2241 |
1283 |
1946 |
2173 |
1854 |
2261 |
1907 |
1373 |
23208 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
1732 |
1603 |
1674 |
17 |
43 |
440 |
388 |
311 |
563 |
964 |
1276 |
717 |
9728 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
764 |
837 |
1586 |
1143 |
1513 |
896 |
730 |
1110 |
1400 |
1712 |
1732 |
1079 |
14502 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
2058 |
1554 |
1861 |
1111 |
1437 |
1058 |
841 |
1201 |
1440 |
1539 |
1408 |
825 |
16333 |
3.(a) Backlogs
Annexure B
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3367 |
3443 |
3074 |
3106 |
3411 |
3569 |
6517 |
3730 |
3823 |
3658 |
3202 |
3430 |
44300 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3675 |
3804 |
3866 |
3459 |
4012 |
3980 |
4227 |
4368 |
4374 |
4584 |
4638 |
3324 |
48216 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
4374 |
4296 |
4343 |
3928 |
4093 |
4241 |
4320 |
4365 |
3105 |
4424 |
4505 |
4681 |
50588 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
4412 |
4413 |
4906 |
4763 |
4819 |
4849 |
4128 |
4908 |
5130 |
5383 |
5377 |
4196 |
57274 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
4665 |
4098 |
4545 |
4447 |
4796 |
4785 |
4713 |
4743 |
4949 |
5311 |
4995 |
5758 |
57267 |
26 June 2023 - NW2384
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) are the technological and/or system impediments that prevent (i) South Africans born overseas and (ii) naturalised citizens from being able to apply for Smart IDs, (b) steps have been taken to resolve the issues, (c) are the estimated time frames for total resolution of the issues and (d) is the target date for his department to start accepting Smart ID applications from South Africans born overseas and naturalised citizens?
Reply:
(a)(i)&(ii) There are no technological or system impediments that prevent South Africans born overseas from applying for Smart ID Cards. South Africans born abroad are able to apply for Smart ID Cards in the country.
(b) Naturalised citizens will soon be able to apply for Smart ID Cards once we have completed the verification process of their records.
(c) & (d) The Minister will make an announcement once the Department is ready to accept Smart ID Card applications from naturalised citizens.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2316
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Following his announcement to pilot self-service kiosks to be placed in some shopping malls, what are the reasons that he is not considering spreading the kiosks to the rural areas where the services are needed the most?
Reply:
The Department of Home Affairs offices are located in various geographical areas and all offices in both urban and rural areas will have the self-service KIOSK. Thus, there will be no reason to deny communities in rural areas access to the self-service machine as the machines will be deployed in all DHA offices. The rollout will be informed by the available budget in a phased approach and the priority will be the deployment in non-modernised offices, followed by modernised offices and other strategic points.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2309
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What role did his department play in the extradition and/or deportation of Mr Thabo Bester and Ms Nandipha Magudumana to the Republic and (b) on what legal authority did his department rely during the whole process of returning the fugitives to the Republic?
Reply:
Honourable member this matter was fully ventilated in a court of law. Judgement has been passed but Dr Magudumana is appealing. Hence I am not able to answer your question for now.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2281
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the details of the (a) timelines for the comprehensive roll-out of e-visas in the Republic and (b) interim measures that his department has implemented to alleviate the burden on travelers whilst the technological challenges associated with the roll-out are being resolved?
Reply:
a) The Department has increased the rollout of the e-visa system to 34 countries. All countries that the Republic has diplomatic relations with, can now apply for a tourist visa on the e-visa system or are exempted from visa requirements for short-term visits.
b) All technological challenges associated with the rollout of the e-visa system have been resolved. The e-visa system has been successfully enhanced and is fully operational.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2280
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the details of the concrete steps that his department has taken to address the technological challenges hampering the roll-out of the e-visa system, which is understood to be a pivotal factor in bolstering the tourism sector in the Republic and facilitating international travel?
Reply:
Honourable member, we initially experienced technological challenges with the roll out of the e-visa system during 2021. However, towards the end of 2022, we successfully completed a series of 34 enhancements to the e-visa system. Currently, there are no technological challenges with the e-visa system. Honourable member, I also wish to inform the house that we have added 20 more countries on the e-visa system bringing it to a total of 34 countries that can now use our e-visa system for tourism purposes.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2273
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether, given that Mr Krasimir Kamenov, wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for crimes in Bulgaria, was shot dead in Cape Town and Mr Fulgence Kayishema, accused of participating in the Rwandan genocide and responsible for thousands of deaths, was arrested last week on a farm in Paarl, near Cape Town and noting that the two wanted international fugitives were located within our borders within the space of one week, his department had been informed that the specified criminals were within our borders; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the relevant details of the kind of visas that were issued to the two criminals, which enabled them to be within the borders of the Republic?
Reply:
(1)&(2) Mr. Krasimir Kamenov was issued with a relatives’ visa to join his spouse and subsequently obtained permanent residence in the Republic of South Africa in 2004. He was a naturalised citizen at the time of his death.
With regards to Mr. Fulgence Kayishema, upon him entering the Republic of South Africa in December 1999, he was issued with a Temporary Permit to Prohibited Persons in terms of Section 41(1) of Aliens Control Act 96 of 1991 under a different name and nationality. He then applied for asylum and was later granted Refugee status in 2002. However, it transpired afterwards that his Refugee status was granted through misrepresentation. The Department will follow legislative prescripts in dealing with misrepresentation in terms of Section 36(1)(a) and section 36(2) of the Refugees Act.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2221
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to the contingent liabilities of his department that were R2,189 billion as at 31 March 2020 and the 13 extra lawyers who were employed later in 2020 to deal with the specified cases, what (a) were the total contingent liabilities at (i) 31 March 2021, (ii) 31 March 2022 and (iii) 31 March 2023 and (b) was the total cost of the lawyers hired to deal with contingent liabilities in the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023?
Reply:
(a)(i) 31 March 2021: As per the Departmental Annual Report 2021/22, the total contingent liabilities reported was: R2,358,451,000.00 of which R2,152,423,000.00 was for legal claims;
(a)(ii) 31 March 2022: As per the Departmental Annual Report 2022/23, the total contingent liabilities reported was: R2, 338,966,000.00 of which R2,107,068,000.00 was for legal claims;
(a)(iii) 31 March 2023: As per unaudited Annual Financial Statements (AFS) submitted as at 31st May 2023, the Department has re-stated its assessment of its contingent liabilities following receipt of a commissioned technical report advising the Department on how to disclose its contingent liabilities on legal matters. The Department has therefore re-assessed its disclosed contingent liability amount to R239,500,000.00 which excludes legal matters. The amount of R2,171,242,664.07 for legal claims is recognised as a note and annexure to the AFS. This amount was not included in the main total because it cannot be reliably estimated as the “possible settlement” amount.
(b) There is no direct correlation between the recruitment of the referred 13 legal resources, and the reduction of the stated contingent liabilities. These officials were employed by the Department to handle all litigation matters emanating from the Department and their employment has no direct bearing on the reduction of the amount disclosed within the contingent liability register, as amounts disclosed are the amounts claimed by the Plaintiffs.
From April 2020 to March 2023, the Department employed one Senior Legal Administration Office who is on level 12 and 7 Legal Administration Officers who are on level 9. The cost of these officials is prescribed as per their level of appointment based on remuneration scales determined by the Department of Public Service Administration (DPSA).
END
26 June 2023 - NW2018
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What total number of retirement visa applications were (i) received and (ii) issued, (b) from what countries were applications received, (c) what is the average time taken between an application received and visa issued, (d) what total number of applications were rejected, (e) what were the reasons for rejection, (f) from what countries were applications rejected and (g) what is the average time taken between an application received and rejected in each month in the (i) past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023 in each case?
Reply:
(a)(i) The total number of retirement visa applications received 3645 from 2020 to 2022 FYs is 3645 and applications received from 1 April 2023 are 79.
(a)(ii) The total number of applications issued during 2020 to 2022 are 1645 while there is no application issued from 1 April 2023 and there are 1449 applications still pending.
(b) The applications were received from 112 countries which are listed below in Annexure A.
(c) The average turnaround time is 12 months.
(d) The total number of applications rejected is 499.
(e) The reasons for rejections vary from documents being incomplete, applicants not able to prove their net worth or pension/ retirement incomes that meet the prescribed minimum amount of R 37000.00 per month.
(f) There were applications rejected from 62 countries. The countries are as reflected in the table below in Annexure A.
(g) The average time between the date on which the application is received and the date on which rejection letters are issued is currently 12 months. There is currently none of the applications received from 01 April 2023 that have been finalised.
END
ANNEXURE A
The table below reflects the number of applications received, approved, rejected and pending for each country that were received from 2020 until 2022. Applications not assigned are pending applications that are not assigned for adjudication.
Applicants nationality |
Approved |
Not Assigned |
Pending |
Rejected |
Grand Total |
Afghanistan |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
Algeria |
8 |
12 |
2 |
5 |
27 |
Angola |
12 |
10 |
2 |
5 |
29 |
Argentina |
2 |
2 |
4 |
||
Australia |
17 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
30 |
Austria |
4 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
|
Bangladesh |
82 |
33 |
91 |
36 |
242 |
Belgium |
30 |
19 |
4 |
8 |
61 |
Benin |
1 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
1 |
1 |
|||
Botswana |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Brazil |
6 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
11 |
Bulgaria |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Burundi |
1 |
1 |
|||
Cameroon |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Canada |
6 |
10 |
7 |
1 |
24 |
Central African Republic |
1 |
1 |
|||
Chad |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
China |
250 |
142 |
27 |
89 |
508 |
Colombia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Cote DIvoire |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Croatia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Cyprus |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Czech Republic |
2 |
2 |
|||
Denmark |
2 |
8 |
4 |
14 |
|
Egypt |
8 |
5 |
4 |
10 |
27 |
Eritrea |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
Ethiopia |
8 |
12 |
3 |
17 |
40 |
Finland |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
France |
35 |
19 |
10 |
11 |
75 |
Gabon |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Germany |
162 |
80 |
23 |
22 |
287 |
Ghana |
3 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
Greece |
2 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
Guernsey and Alderney |
1 |
1 |
|||
Haiti |
1 |
1 |
|||
Honduras |
1 |
1 |
|||
India |
39 |
43 |
15 |
31 |
128 |
Iraq |
1 |
1 |
|||
Ireland |
18 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
28 |
Israel |
4 |
4 |
1 |
9 |
|
Italy |
25 |
12 |
3 |
3 |
43 |
Jordan |
1 |
3 |
4 |
||
Kenya |
3 |
10 |
2 |
6 |
21 |
Latvia |
3 |
3 |
|||
Lebanon |
5 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
Lesotho |
1 |
1 |
|||
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya |
1 |
1 |
|||
Luxembourg |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Madagascar |
2 |
2 |
|||
Malawi |
2 |
4 |
6 |
||
Malaysia |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||
Mali |
1 |
1 |
|||
Malta |
1 |
1 |
|||
Mauritania |
1 |
1 |
|||
Mexico |
1 |
1 |
|||
Mongolia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Morocco |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Mozambique |
4 |
10 |
1 |
2 |
17 |
Nepal |
2 |
2 |
4 |
||
Netherlands |
72 |
31 |
13 |
8 |
124 |
New Zealand |
1 |
1 |
|||
Niger |
1 |
1 |
|||
Nigeria |
43 |
38 |
21 |
36 |
138 |
Norway |
8 |
6 |
3 |
17 |
|
Pakistan |
30 |
60 |
35 |
34 |
159 |
Palestinian Territory |
1 |
1 |
|||
Philippines |
3 |
3 |
6 |
||
Poland |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
Portugal |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Republic of South Africa |
71 |
47 |
11 |
27 |
156 |
Reunion (FR) |
2 |
2 |
|||
Russian Federation |
5 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
Rwanda |
2 |
2 |
|||
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
1 |
1 |
|||
Saudi Arabia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Senegal |
1 |
1 |
|||
Sierra Leone |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Singapore |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
Slovenia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Somalia |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Spain |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||
Sri Lanka |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Sudan |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||
Swaziland |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||
Sweden |
10 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
27 |
Switzerland |
72 |
56 |
9 |
13 |
150 |
Syrian Arab Republic |
1 |
1 |
|||
Taiwan |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
Thailand |
5 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
16 |
24 |
1 |
9 |
50 |
The Islamic Republic of Iran |
4 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
13 |
Republic of Korea (South Korea) |
25 |
17 |
1 |
14 |
57 |
Republic of the Congo |
2 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
United Republic of Tanzania |
1 |
3 |
4 |
||
Togo |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Trinidad & Tobago |
1 |
1 |
|||
Commonwealth of the Bahamas |
1 |
1 |
|||
Tunisia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Turkey |
5 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Uganda |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Ukraine |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||
United Kingdom |
330 |
148 |
42 |
49 |
571 |
United States of America |
121 |
58 |
20 |
17 |
216 |
Uruguay |
1 |
1 |
|||
Uzbekistan |
1 |
1 |
|||
Vietnam |
6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
Zaire |
1 |
1 |
|||
Zambia |
1 |
3 |
4 |
||
Zimbabwe |
7 |
29 |
6 |
33 |
75 |
Grand Total |
1645 |
1055 |
394 |
499 |
3645 |
*The table below reflects the number of applications and nationalities of the applicants whose applications were received from 01 April 2023 to 31 May 2023
Applicants nationality |
Applications received from 01 April 2023 |
Australia |
1 |
Belgium |
1 |
Brazil |
1 |
Cameroon |
2 |
China |
4 |
Denmark |
1 |
France |
2 |
Germany |
9 |
India |
1 |
Ireland |
1 |
Israel |
1 |
Italy |
3 |
Netherlands |
3 |
Nigeria |
3 |
Pakistan |
1 |
Philippines |
1 |
Poland |
1 |
Republic of South Africa |
2 |
Russian Federation |
1 |
Swaziland |
2 |
Sweden |
2 |
Switzerland |
6 |
Islamic Republic of Iran |
1 |
Republic of South Korea |
3 |
Togo |
1 |
Turkey |
1 |
Uganda |
1 |
United Kingdom |
18 |
United States of America |
3 |
Zimbabwe |
2 |
Grand Total |
79 |
13 June 2023 - NW2222
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) were the total office hours lost due to (i) load shedding, (ii) office closures, (iii) water outages, (iv) system downtime and (v) no online verification scanners at health facilities in Quarter 4 of the 2022-23 financial year, (b) was the total percentage of uptime of the Home Affairs civic services system hosted by the State Information Technology Agency and (c) number of the 48 142 late registrations of birth as a result of this downtime have been finalised?
Reply:
(a) The total office hours lost in Quarter 4 (Q4) due to:
(i) |
Load shedding as collated by Provinces is 6 268. |
(ii) |
Closure of offices: 1319. |
(iii) |
Water outages: 278. |
(iv) |
System downtime: 13 416. |
(v) |
Health facilities: 202. |
(b) The total percentage uptime of the systems was 95%.
(c) The provincial screening committees are going to provide the details of the finalised LRB’s at the end of Quarter 1 of the current financial year.
END
08 June 2023 - NW1677
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether, regarding the judgment of Khoza v Minister of Home Affairs & One Other in the Pretoria High Court, Case No. 6700/2022, (a) he has found his department to be in contempt of court for not making the regulations to the SA Citizenship Act, Act 88 of 1995, available on registration of potentially stateless children of undocumented migrants; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What (a) are the remaining steps and processes that must be undertaken to finalise the required regulations and (b) current process is in place to accept and adjudicate applications for citizenship made on affidavit on behalf of stateless children under section 2(2) of the specified Act?
Reply:
1. The Minister is not in contempt of court. The High court ordered as follows:
1. Directing the First Respondent to register the Applicant’s birth in terms of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 51 of 1992, as amended, within 30 (thirty) days of this order.
2. Declaring the Applicant to be a South African citizen by birth in terms of section 2(2) of the South African Citizenship Act, 88 of 1995, as amended (“the Citizenship Act).
3. Alternatively, declaring the Applicant to be a South African citizen by naturalisation in terms of section 4(3) of the Citizenship Act.
4. Directing the First Respondent to enter the Applicant into the National Population Register as a citizen, to issue him with an identity number and to amend and re-issue his birth certificate accordingly, within 30 (thirty) days of this order.
5. Directing the First Respondent to accept and adjudicate applications in terms of section 2(2) on affidavit pending the promulgation of regulations.
6. Ordering the Respondents to pay the costs of this application on an attorney and client scale, jointly and severally, the one to pay the other to be absolved, which costs will include the costs consequent upon the employment of 2 (two) Counsel.”.
As the High Court did not make any order setting aside section 2(2) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act No. 88 of 1995), the Minister has not, therefore, been ordered to make regulations with regard thereto and cannot, therefore be in contempt of the court order.
(2)(a) However, the department is in the process of finalising the drafting of the regulations in order to provide a Form as per the order in Minister of Home Affairs vs Ali [2018] ZASCA 169; 2019 (2) SA 396 (SCA). Once the Minister has approved the Regulations, they will be published in the government gazette for implementation.
(2)(b) Currently, the department accepts and processes applications submitted in an affidavit in line with the Pretoria High Court.
END
07 June 2023 - NW1821
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to electronic visa applications (a) in the past three financial years and (b) from 1 April 2023 to date, (i) what total number of applications were (aa) received and/or (bb) issued in each month, (ii) from which countries were applications received in each month and (iii) what is the average time taken between an application received and a visa being issued in each month?
Reply:
(a)(i)(aa) Total received in the last 3 financial years from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023 is 28 289.
(b)(i)(aa) Total received from 1 April 2023 to 26 May 2023 is 5 474.
(a&b)(bb) Total combined issued outcomes: 33 763
(a&b)(ii) Countries of application: Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Philippines, Egypt, China, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mexico, Uganda, Congo, Saudi Arabia, Iran.
(a&b)(iii) Average turnaround time: 10 working days.
END
07 June 2023 - NW1992
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) (a) What total number of mobile units are deployed in the Eastern Cape, (b) in which areas and (c) for how long have the mobile units been deployed in the specified areas; (2) (a) where are mobile units taken to be repaired if they develop mechanical problems and (b) how long does it take for such mobile units to become operational again?
Reply:
1(a) 15 Mobile Solution Trucks are deployed in the Eastern Cape Province.
1(b) Region 1: O.R. Tambo and Alfred Nzo District: = 6
Region 2: Buffalo City Metro and Amathole District: =4
Region 3: Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Sarah Baartman District: =2
Region 4: Chris Hani and Joe Qgabi District: =3
(1)(c) The Timely drawn Monthly Itineraries by local offices direct the Mobile Solution Trucks to areas envisaged by the communities to spend a day in each, or may have to return to the area, following an incidental breakdown of the network that would have led to being unable to provide the required service.
(2)(a&b) The Wesbank Transversal Account registered for Government under RT46 appoints Merchants to conduct repairs, as per footprint nationwide.
END
07 June 2023 - NW1948
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
In light of the fact that Home Affairs offices servicing mostly rural and impoverished persons, such as Home Affairs in Engcobo Local Municipality, who have been lamenting network issues and that they are using old equipment that often crashes (details furnished), what (a) are the reasons that he has failed to ensure South African citizens in rural areas are able to get documents on time and (b)(i) steps and (ii) are the deadlines thereof that will be undertaken to ensure that the matter is resolved?
Reply:
a) The department’s footprint is not adequate for the population of our country and I have taken a decision to move away from focusing on static bricks and mortar only offices but to increase the footprint of mobile offices that will go to the people instead of people going to the offices and I have personally led many outreach programmes to rural communities in Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
(b)(i) The department will be adding an additional 100 mobile units in the 2023/24 financial year to increase its mobile fleet to 227 units. This increase will ensure that under-served rural areas receive regular visits and quicker turnaround time in receiving their documents.
(b)(ii) The additional 100 units are expected in the fourth quarter of the current financial year.
END
07 June 2023 - NW1959
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to nomad visa applications (a) in the past three financial years and (b) from 1 April 2023 to date, (i) what (aa) total number of applications were rejected in each month and (bb) are the reasons for the rejections in each case, (ii) from which countries were applications rejected in each month and (iii) what is the average time taken between an application received and an application rejected in each month?
Reply:
(a)(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(iii) The Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002 does not make provision for a nomad visa. As a result, there were no nomad visa applications rejected by the Department for the periods mentioned above.
END
07 June 2023 - NW1951
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to immigration inspections undertaken by his department over the past year, what (a) results have been produced in terms of (i) arrests of undocumented persons, (ii) deportations of illegal migrants and (iii) fines issued to companies and (b) is the breakdown of the sectors of the economy that employ illegal migrants?
Reply:
(a)(i) A total number of 1200 illegal foreigners were arrested during business inspections conducted in 2022/23
(a)(ii) A total number of 22436 illegal foreigners were deported during the financial year 2022/23
(a)(iii) Total amount of R215 500 in lieu of fines were issued to employers for employing illegal foreigners
(b) The sectors are as follows:
- Farms
- Retail stores / Wholesalers
- Freight & Logistics companies
- Mining industry
- Hair Salons
- Supermarkets/ Tuckshops
- Security
- Construction companies
- Religious Establishments
- Educational Establishments
- Massage Spas
END
07 June 2023 - NW1882
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What steps has his department taken to encourage and/or steer towards attaining the goal of harmonising the visa regime across the African continent to make it easier for tourists to move from one country to another which would ultimately encourage and boost tourism not only in the Republic, but also in the Southern African Development Community region?
Reply:
We currently have visa waiver agreements with 35 countries in the African continent including 16 SADC countries. The eVisa system has been rolled to 17 countries within Africa. They are Algeria, Comoros, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. This implementation is encouraging and supporting the movement in and out of SA and also boost tourism.
Further, South Africa is participating in the pilot for the SADC UNIVISA project. UNIVISA Legal Experts will be meeting from 8 – 9 June 2023 and the Department of Home Affairs will also be participating to consider the feasibility, modalities of this initiative.
The above is an indication of the department’s support and commitment towards attaining the goal of harmonising the visa regime across the African continent to make it easier for tourists to move from one country to another.
END
07 June 2023 - NW1803
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the reasons that a certain person (name furnished) is refusing to register the birth of a certain person (name and details furnished) despite him sending paternity tests to the District Manager Operations at Tshwane District?
Reply:
Attempts were made to invite the applicant for the 9 and 10 May 2023 Late Registration of Birth (LRB) Committee sittings in Temba Local Office. However, his number went to voicemail. Contact was later made with the applicant through other means and the date of 15 June 2023 is scheduled to finalise the application. The applicant has committed his availability to attend on the said date.
END
06 June 2023 - NW1479
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What prompted his department to write a letter giving the Premier of Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane, the right to establish an international port of entry in an unused former homeland airport in Bisho?
Reply:
The Minister of Home Affairs had at no stage given Mr Oscar Mabuyane, “the right to establish an international port of entry in an unused former homeland airport in Bisho”
Upon receipt of the request/application, the Minister acted in terms of section 9A of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 to designate Bulembu Airport in (Bhisho) as a port of entry and exit.
The Minister took steps to comply with regulation 8 of the Immigration Act.
END
06 June 2023 - NW1595
Ntlangwini, Ms EN to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether, in light of the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan’s family to the Republic, any prohibited and/or restricted items were identified during the customs inspection; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether appropriate measures were taken in accordance with the customs and excise regulations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1&2) Yes, customs duties were performed in the presence of members of the South African Police Service and officials of the Border Management Authority (BMA).
END
06 June 2023 - NW1593
Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, in light of the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan's family to the Republic using Bulembu Airport in Qonce as a port of entry, all the necessary visas and travel documents for the United Arab Emirates president’s family were verified and approved in accordance with the Republic’s immigration laws and regulations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, all entry requirements were complied with – no exemptions were approved.
END
06 June 2023 - NW1278
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What measures are being put in place to ensure that Palestinians who visit the Republic enjoy the same rights as their Israeli counterparts who do not need a visa to travel to the Republic whilst Palestinians are required to have visas? What measures are being put in place to ensure that Palestinians who visit the Republic enjoy the same rights as their Israeli counterparts who do not need a visa to travel to the Republic whilst Palestinians are required to have visas?
Reply:
I have approved a waiver of visa requirements for diplomatic and official/service passport holders for Palestinian nationals. The drafting and finalisation of the Visa Waiver Agreement with the Palestinian Authority is at an advanced stage and I will make an announcement in due course.
As far as Palestinian ordinary passport holders are concerned, the Department intends to finalise waiver of visa requirements for this category by the end of June 2023.
END