‘Home Affairs would gain nothing by destroying tourism industry’ – Motsoaledi on visa circular outrageHome Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi briefs the media in Pretoria on 14 April 2023. Picture: Nigel Sibandasays claims that tourists were being chased away from South Africa due to expired visa documents is misleading.In particular, the minister spoke on the circular that was issued by his department in December 2023.being accused of risking the collapse the tourism industry.
This included individuals who have applied for visa extensions, waivers or appeals and have not yet received an outcome on their applications.‘We don’t want officials walking free’ – Home Affairs deputy minister asks for patience as visa fraud probe continues “I wish to state categorically that the Department of Home Affairs would gain nothing by destroying the tourism industry, which is regarded as one of the pillars of the economy, not only in South Africa but in many other countries,” the minister said.Motsoaledi revealed that he had contacted Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille in light of the allegations intensifying to discuss the matter
“In this regard, we reasoned that if tourists are in trouble, their first port of call will be the tourist industry operators and the ministry of tourism. “It was at the Cape Town International Airport where five people are said to have encountered problems because they were declared undesirable due to their overstay in the country. We have instructed officials to take steps so that this undesirability status could be lifted without any waste of time,” he said.Furthermore, Motsoaledi sought to explain why some individuals are declared undesirable.
“Hence in the Act, the legislature empowers the minister to review and set aside an undesirability status on application by the affected individual if cogent reasons are provided,” he said.