Andrew Stegmann

HOME AFFAIRS TO ROLL OUT BIOMETRIC SYSTEM AT 6 PORTS OF ENTRY

JOHANNESBURG – The Home Affairs Department said that the biometric capturing system will now be rolled out at six of South Africa’s busiest land ports of entry.

The system, which captures traveller’s finger prints at South Africa’s international airports, was introduced by the department in April last year.

Minister Malusi Gigaba this has improved security at South Africa’s ports of entry and while the system has experienced some glitches, he was satisfied with the overall results.

“During the course of this financial year, we’ll be rolling out the biometric capture system at Beit Bridge, Lebombo, Ficksburg, Maseru Bridge, Oshoek and Kopfontein,” the minister said.

The system was met with some criticism from citizens and the tourism industry, who were concerned that it would discourage visitors from travelling to the country.

Gigaba said that in the space of three days last week, the OR Tambo International Airport had experienced flight delays due to glitches in the biometric system.

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Andrew Stegmann

South Africa: Policy Paper Published on Changes to Immigration System

The South African government has presented for public comment a policy paper that proposes changes to the immigration system. The paper suggests reviewing the country’s overall immigration strategy by considering changes in politics, the economy, social development, national security, international and constitutional obligations and the overall increase in immigration.

Key Policies Discussed in Policy Paper

The policy paper discusses the following key proposals:

• Management of admissions and departures: Addressing gaps that compromise secure and efficient migration and establishing a border management authority, redesignated entry ports and new pre-clearance procedures;
• Management of residency and naturalization: Expanding the eligibility criteria for citizenship and permanent residence, such as adding contributions to society and economy as a factor;
• Management of international migrants with skills and capital: Promoting and attracting skilled workers who contribute to the country’s growth and competitiveness by retaining foreign students that study in South Africa and creating a points-based work visa system;
• Management of ties with the South African diaspora: Retaining connections with skilled workers leaving South Africa;
• Management of international migration within the African context: Improving regional bodies in Africa to promote trade, travel and employment;
• Admission of asylum seekers: Acknowledging that the influx of economic asylum seekers affects the country’s ability to focus on other refugees; and
• Management of the integration process for international migrants: Creating a clear integration policy for foreign nationals.

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Andrew Stegmann

Gigaba says number of people passing through Beitbridge halved

Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba says he does not blame Zimbabwean Customs for locking out South African goods from entering Zimbabwe.

Gigaba was speaking to the media at OR Tambo International Airport about the rollout of the Biometric Capture System.

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He said the number of people coming into the country had not been reduced by the installation of the biometrics system and the department expected more visitors to make their way to South Africa.

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But Gigaba did admit to the instability on the Zimbabwe side of the Beitbridge border post having caused a drop in the number of Zimbabweans entering the country.

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He said the number of travellers had almost halved from fifteen thousand a day. He said the drop had showed in the money collected at the border post.

Gigaba said the Beitbridge port oversaw a similar number of travellers as OR Tambo International Airport.

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Andrew Stegmann

SA not likely to see influx of Zim migrants in wake of tensions-Gigaba

Home Affairs minister Malusi Gigaba says there are no indications that South Africa will see an influx of Zimbabwean migrants in the wake oftensions in that country.

His remarks come as trade experts warn Zimbabwe’s restrictions on imports are a setback for regional trade and integration.

Zimbabwe’s government is running out of cash and is seeking to encourage the manufacture of goods in its own backyard.

With over 700 million dollars’ worth of goods going into Zimbabwe, South Africa is the largest importer to the country.

Analysts say curbing those imports will have severe consequences for both sides and the region as a whole.

Sinethemba Zonke of Africa Practice says there will be a sharp drop in business activity in border towns – hitting business and threatening jobs. “There is also possible influx of Zimbabweans fleeing their country.”

But Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says as yet there’s been no talks with his Zimbabwean counterpart. He says the situation is unlikely to result in an influx of migrants into South Africa.

“The cross border numbers appear to be stabilising. We have had no talk with the Zimbabwean counterparts but DIRCO has. We understand there are talks on the trade front. We don’t think we will see an influx of migrants from what we gather.”

Local retailers with operations in Zimbabwe say they’ve taken a knock as a result of import restrictions.

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