President John Magufuli may be reducing corruption and security risks but has also influenced a trend toward increased risk of expropriation, creating uncertainty for foreign investors.
Tanzania’s government has commenced a national project which will see undeveloped land larger than 20 hectares seized from investors and given to farmers. In May 2016 alone, the government expropriated over 1,800 hectares of land and allocated it to poor Tanzanians; 80% of whom rely on agriculture for their livelihood.
The programme is being implemented because of the widespread problem of investors in agriculture and energy not meeting the requirements of their title deeds, which stipulate that a title holder should develop land within three years rather than holding onto it for ‘speculative value’.
William Lukuvi, Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Developments, claims that this policy will reduce security risks, such as clashes between communities competing over scarce resources.
The government and particularly President Magufuli have also made significant efforts to curb corruption, which has generated substantial popular support and impressed international donors. He has removed 10,000 ‘ghost workers’ from the government payroll and has on multiple occasions fired officials on the spot for suspected corruption or poor work-ethic. Most recently, he fired Charles Kitwanga, Minister of Home Affairs, on May 20th for attending parliament whilst drunk.
Such policies are undeniably beneficial for marginalised Tanzanians, but have at the same time led to uncertainty in the business environment – a trend that has characterised Magufuli’s presidency since he stepped into office in November 2015.
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SA has worlds most progressive refugee legislation: Gigaba
Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba says the South African constitution requires the country to observe its international obligations.
The minister was speaking on Morning Live as Monday marks World Refugee Day.
The day is observed to commemorate the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees around the world.
This year, World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee.
Gigaba says it is our obligation as South Africans to protect refugees and recognize their rights.
“Those rights include the right to live where they want to live and be protected in those areas,” says Gigaba.
He says when it comes to refugees, South Africa has the most progressive legislation in the world but is still lacking in practice.
Currently there are 121 000 recognized refugees in the country, but each year the department receives applications for new asylum seekers.
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More than 40 home affairs officials arrested for graft
The officials had a way of finding out who needed a visa and would contact the applicant, and become the middlemen in helping them obtain documents.
Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba said between 2015 and 2016 more than 40 home affairs officials had been arrested for corruption.
During a World Refugee Day event held at the Catholic Archdiocese in Johannesburg, the minister said the department was trying its best to make sure that asylum seekers were treated fairly.
“We get clues via social networks and we are quite happy that some immigrants report. We are doing our best and by improving work processes we will reduce the abuse of immigrants.”
Earlier, Gigaba visited the Bienvenu Shelter which is currently home to 19 women and child refugees who came to South Africa because of wars and violence in their home countries.
June 20th was declared World Refugee Day by the UN General Assembly in 2000.
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South Africa: All South African visa applications filed in India to be submitted through VFS
South Africa: All South African visa applications filed in India to be submitted through VFS
Effective 1 June, all South African visas filed in India must be submitted through VFS Global in India. VFS Global is a popular third-party visa and passport processing agency through which several countries outsource many of their consular procedures. VFS Global has long processed short-term visa applications for South Africa; however, before 1 June, the High Commission of South Africa in Mumbai previously maintained authority over all long-term visa applications (including those for employment purposes).
Shortly after the 1 June transition, VFS Global made several amendments to the document requirements for Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa applications. Beyond adding a new processing fee of INR 1,382-1,643 (USD $20-25) for all applications, the following new documents and/or information must be provided for the local South African worker as part of the required Skills Transfer Plan documentation:
Employers should anticipate a possible delay in processing times due to the transition of all visa applications to VFS Global the increase in application volume.
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President Magufuli: Tanzania’s Robin Hood
President John Magufuli may be reducing corruption and security risks but has also influenced a trend toward increased risk of expropriation, creating uncertainty for foreign investors.
Tanzania’s government has commenced a national project which will see undeveloped land larger than 20 hectares seized from investors and given to farmers. In May 2016 alone, the government expropriated over 1,800 hectares of land and allocated it to poor Tanzanians; 80% of whom rely on agriculture for their livelihood.
The programme is being implemented because of the widespread problem of investors in agriculture and energy not meeting the requirements of their title deeds, which stipulate that a title holder should develop land within three years rather than holding onto it for ‘speculative value’.
William Lukuvi, Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Developments, claims that this policy will reduce security risks, such as clashes between communities competing over scarce resources.
Such policies are undeniably beneficial for marginalised Tanzanians, but have at the same time led to uncertainty in the business environment – a trend that has characterised Magufuli’s presidency since he stepped into office in November 2015.
Source