Andrew Stegmann

Nigeria: Govt Unveils Residence Permit Trackers for Expatriates, Foreigners

Abuja — The federal government on Tuesday unveiled 28 residence permit card tracking centres for expatriates and foreigners in the country, with the view to seamlessly monitoring their movements within the country.

This came as it disclosed that plans were underway to introduce visa at entry points as part of efforts to eradicate bureaucracy hindering the influx of foreign investors into the country.

The over-riding objective of the unveiling of 28 residence permit card tracking centres for expatriates and foreigners, government said, is to use the centres to monitor and track the effectiveness of inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) into the country.

The biometric security card device would be installed across airports and border control posts which would keep track, monitor and detect wanted international criminals.

Unveiling the facilities in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), said the 28 new CERPAC production centre and 28 operational vehicles will enhance the capacity of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to discharge its statutory duty of internal monitoring and control of foreigners within the country.

Source

Andrew Stegmann

Undocumented Zimbabweans detained while trying to return to their country

Home Affairs says it’s the law

Nine Zimbabweans arrested on their way home to Zimbabwe have been held since 21 August in police cells in De Aar as “illegal foreigners”.

The Zimbabweans were travelling home in a minibus taxi . One of the nine was separated from his three children and pregnant wife, who were allowed to continue their journey.

Those who were not detained waited for three days outside Hanover police station for the release of their travelling companions. One woman became dehydrated and fainted several times. She later died after they crossed the border. Masvingo Central Police Station confirmed the death of the 35-year-old woman as a result of natural causes.

The detained Zimbabweans appeared in Hanover Magistrate Court on 25 August.

Source

Andrew Stegmann

PRESIDENT ZUMA DECLARES 27 DECEMBER A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

CAPE TOWN – President Jacob Zuma has declared 27 December a public holiday following a request by the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa).

Fedusa says it made the call as workers in the country will only have 11 public holidays instead of 12 this year, as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.

According to section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act 1994, “whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be a public holiday”.

However, as 26 December 2016 is also a public holiday, the two overlap.

The Presidency says the move will ensure that workers still get their 12 paid public holidays.

Fedusa says its pleased that President Zuma has declared the day a public holiday.

Source

Andrew Stegmann

Gigaba: SA can benefit by welcoming migrants

Johannesburg – South Africa should embrace international migration for development of the country, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has said.

He reiterated that South Africa was committed to offering sanctuary to refugees.

“This is a matter which for us is not merely an international obligation, but a moral imperative. It is an expression of our foreign policy, which seeks to build a better Africa and a better world,” he said.

“Therefore our commitment to refugees is unwavering, and the challenge before us is to figure out what is the best way to discharge our mandate.”

Gigaba was speaking at a policy dialogue with civil society on the green paper on International Migration in Doornfontein on Friday. The green paper contends that it is neither desirable nor possible to stop international migration.

 International migration is a natural, largely positive phenomenon which, if well managed, can and will make a crucial contribution to growing our economy and transforming Africa as envisioned in Agenda 2063. The paper sets out core principles to inform the nation’s management of international migration.