Johannesburg – South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has announced a significant escalation in inspections aimed at businesses employing undocumented foreigners. The initiative, set to increase inspections by more than 50% across sectors such as restaurants, spaza shops, farms, and mines, marks a decisive step towards enforcing immigration laws rigorously.
Schreiber, addressing parliament during his maiden budget vote speech, outlined a multifaceted strategy. Central to his plan is the expedited issuance of smart ID cards to naturalised citizens, with 280 cards already distributed and 697 more in progress. He stressed that simplifying this process would enable eligible citizens to obtain their IDs swiftly at any equipped home affairs office.
Highlighting the department’s efforts to streamline operations, Schreiber acknowledged a dedicated team’s success in processing 92,886 applications out of a total backlog of 306,042. He underscored the urgency, citing costly legal challenges arising from delayed permits.
The minister also reinstated the Immigration Advisory Board to provide evidence-based counsel on critical issues, including the future of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit. This move underscores Schreiber’s commitment to informed decision-making in immigration policy.
In addressing corruption within the department, Schreiber condemned maladministration and emphasized its detrimental impact on official processes and public trust. He flagged recent visa restrictions imposed by Ireland on South African and Botswanan citizens, hinting at concerns over corruption influencing international perceptions.
Expanding access to home affairs services, Schreiber announced new offices in prominent shopping malls across major cities, aimed at reducing queues and improving service delivery. This expansion forms part of broader efforts to enhance public accessibility and efficiency.
