Tag Archive for: SA Parliament

Sisipho Ntsabo
,

South African Intra Company Transfer Work Visa

South African Intra Company Transfer Work Visa
All foreign nationals current in SA on intra company transfer work visas issued for 4 years, which will expire on or before 30 June 2022, may apply for new ICT work visas from within SA for a further two years.
A number of requirements must be complied with, including verifiable documentation to prove that the skills transfer to a SA citizen or permanent resident, was completed during the 4 year visa, as per the initial undertaking which the work visa holder would have submitted with their first application.
For information pertaining to these immigration services, please feel free to contact Relocation Africa’s Immigration Lead Tracy du Plessis, via immigration@relocationafrica.com. Please also feel free to visit our website at https://www.relocationafrica.com/immigration/ for more information.
Sisipho Ntsabo
,

The Ongoing Protests in South Africa Right Now

Following the arrest of the former president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma – looting, unrest and violence has broken out in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng provinces.

On the 29th of June 2021, the former president was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court after failing to attend a corruption inquiry. The former president handed himself into the police and was admitted to Estcourt Correctional Centre in KZN.

Following this arrest, violent looting and rioting began in his homestead Nkandla and spread to the wider parts of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Al Jazeera reports that “Several hundred people looted and burned stores in the Alexandra and Bramley neighbourhoods of Johannesburg, according to a statement by police Major General Mathapelo Peters.”

The AFP news agency states that for many hours, the N3 highway linking Johannesburg and the coastal city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal was blocked. Further, some 23 trucks were also set alight at Mooi River around 150 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of Durban. At least 72 people have died amid the instability, officials said Tuesday, some trampled to death in shopping-centre stampedes.

Dozens of burnt-out trucks at the Mooi River toll plaza in the KZN Midlands after they were torched. (Photo: Daily Maverick)

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, with the cabinet deciding to deploy members of the military in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

 

In his address condemning the ongoing violence, President Ramaphosa stated, “In the past few days we have seen sporadic but increasingly violent protests in some parts of the country. Key infrastructure like national roads has been affected‚ slowing down the transportation of goods and services that keep our economy running.”

While the condemnation of those ongoing violence and looting, some protesters shared that the reason for looting was due to the loss of jobs due to the pandemic, the high unemployment rate in South Africa and ongoing socio-economic problems which continue to destabilise the country.

The Wall Street Journal writes a compelling article about how the ongoing violence reflects inequalities exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic. The author writes, “The looting and violence are emblematic of the economic and social dislocation the pandemic has unleashed in many developing countries. Governments from Colombia to Lebanon, in addition to South Africa, lack the resources to provide the economic stimulus and social-security programs implemented in richer countries. Limited supplies of Covid-19 shots are also holding back the recovery, as fresh waves of infections continue to overwhelm hospitals and cause thousands of deaths.”

Amid the many lockdowns, the government continues to fail to provide social relief to businesses and the unemployed citizen of South Africa. The unemployment rate sits at a concerning 43%. The pandemic relief amount to the citizen was set at R350 a month, which some have reported to never have gotten. Albeit there is the hijacking of the protest by opportunists, loyalists and criminals, the socio-economic factor and outcry of looters cannot be ignored. A tweet said, “You cannot threaten the hungry with hunger. You cannot scare the jobless with jobless”

While other provinces remain “unlooted” and stable, this is a stern warning of the future of South Africa if corruption and inequality continue to plague this developing country.

Relocation Africa condemns any violence and vandalism and calls for change in policy and stakeholders. South Africa is a beautiful and rich land, full of potential. Let us stand together in unity, and rebuild what is lost.

 

Sisipho Ntsabo
, ,

Department of Home Affairs calls upon asylum seekers and refugees to renew their expired visas and statuses

The Department of Home Affairs has issued a statement calling upon qualifying asylum seekers and refugees to renew their expired visas and status online before the deadline on 30 June 2021.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has extended the validity of the asylum seeker visas and refugee statuses. This online extension is aimed at reducing the COVID-19 spread. With the online extension, a holder of an asylum seeker visa (section 22) or a refugee status (section 24), can request an extension of visa validity via email, without having to physically go to a refugee reception office.

To request an online extension for an asylum seeker or refugee visas a client will need to submit the following documents:

  • A signed template that has a permit number, full names and surname, and full contact details (an email address, mobile phone numbers and physical address).
  • Proof of physical address in a form of a utility bill or an affidavit confirming the address.
  • A copy of the current visa. If the visa is lost, the client must submit an affidavit confirming that the permit is lost and indicate the previous permit reference number.
1 Desmond Tutu Refugee Reception Office Refugee visa extensions: DTRRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za

Asylum seeker visa extension: DTRRC.Extension22@dha.gov.za
2 Cape Town Refugee Reception Office Refugee visa extensions: CTrrc.extension24@dha.gov.za

Asylum seeker visa extension: CTrrc.Extension22@dha.gov.za
3 Musina Refugee Reception Office Refugee visa extensions: MusinaRRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za

Asylum seeker visa extension: Musinarrc.Extension22@dha.gov.za
4 Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Refugee Reception Office Refugee visa extensions: PERRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za

Asylum seeker visa extension: PERRC.Extension22@dha.gov.za
5 Durban Refugee Reception Office Refugee visa extensions: DurbanRRC.Extension24@dha.gov.za

Asylum seeker visa extension: DurbanRRC.Extension22@dha.gov.za

 

 

Andrew Stegmann
,

South Africa Opens For International Travel From All Countries: Updated COVID-19 Regulations

The South African Government has relaxed the country’s level 1 lockdown rules around international travel, allowing visitors from any country provided they follow health and safety guidelines.

In an address on Wednesday evening (11 November), President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the easing of these restrictions is to enable all parts of the economy to return to full operation as quickly and as safely as possible.

“(We are) opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative Covid-19 certificate. By using rapid tests and strict monitoring we intend to limit the spread of the infection through importation,” he said.

While the decision has been welcomed by the local tourism industry, it may be hamstrung as several key target markets are experiencing a second wave in coronavirus infections which will prevent potential tourists from visiting South Africa.

“From 5 November to 2 December 2020, travelling away from home, including internationally, is restricted from England except in limited circumstances such as for work or for education,” the UK’s foreign office said.

The foreign office also advises against all but essential travel to the whole of South Africa based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks.

Some restrictions are also in place for Germany and France, with both countries also re-entering lockdowns in recent weeks. A ban on overseas travel from Australia is also in place.

Despite existing international restrictions, local tourism has praised the decision to ease restrictions, especially the removal of the ‘high-risk list’ which saw travellers from specific countries prohibited from entering South Africa for leisure travel.

“We have been calling for the ‘red list’ to be scrapped from day one, as it was killing our key source markets for tourism in the Western Cape ahead of the summer season and causing much confusion and uncertainty for the travel and tourism industry which has been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the Western Cape’s minister of finance and economic opportunities David Maynier.

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, chief executive of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa has also been lobbying the government to abandon the ‘red list’ as it was not necessary because travellers had to present a Covid-19 test before entering the country.

“We have worked hard with determination and persistence for the sake of the tourism industry,” he said. “As the president has just announced, all borders will be open subject to Covid-19 negative certificate for all passengers. No more high-risk list of countries. Let’s all go to work.”

Partial re-opening of borders

The 18 land borders which were partially operational, will be fully operational, and the 34 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

Travelling to and from South Africa is allowed, subject to:

  • The traveller providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel;
  • In the event of the traveller’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveller will be required to quarantine him or herself at his or her own costs.

International air travel remains restricted to the following airports:

  • OR Tambo International Airport:
  • King Shaka International Airport;
  • Cape Town International Airport.

The resumption of services for visa applications shall be determined in directions issued by minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi.

The minister is also expected to work with the Department of Health and the Department of Transport on international travel containment protocols to ensure that entry into South African ports of entry will only be allowed subject to adherence to ensure Covid-19 positive travellers are not allowed into the country.

Liquor sales 

The gazette states that the sale of liquor is permitted:

  • By licensed premises for off-site consumption, is permitted during licensed trading hours – subject to the laws governing such licenses;
  • By a licensed premises for on-site consumption is permitted, subject to strict adherence to the curfew.

Since the start of alert level one on 21 September 2020, licensed outlets have only been allowed to sell alcohol for home consumption on weekdays from 09h00 to 17hoo.

The amended regulations effectively mean that liquor trading returns to pre-lockdown hours, with bottle stores and other retailers now able sell liquor for off-site consumption over the weekend and during all licensed trading hours.

Any person who does not follow these regulations is liable to be fined or faces imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].