Schreiber sets out Home Affairs vision in budget speech
Minister Home Affairs Leon Schreiber says his department's dedicated team has already reduced the visa backlog by processing 92,886 applications out of a total of 306,000.
This is a reduction of 30%.
Schreiber tabled his department’s budget in Parliament on Monday.
The minister told MPs that, at the same time, the government needs to do more to curb illegal immigration.
“We must do so because it is essential to our national security but also out of the same commitment growth,” Schreiber said.
"The reality is no one will visit or invest if we allow our country to lose control over its borders and internal security.”
A public-private partnership is also being sought to redesign the country's six border posts.
"They are Beitbridge, Lebombo, Maseru Bridge, Ficksburg and Koopfontein,” the minister said.
“The process will close in the next two months, after which final approval will be sought from the National Treasury before the start of the redevelopment work. The reality is the BMA, like Home Affairs itself, is underfunded.”
-Home Affairs systems-
Schreiber emphasised the need to upgrade the department’s technical infrastructure and relook at the queueing system at Home Affairs officers around the country.
“I also intend to review the way queues are managed at Home Affairs offices to identify appropriate business process reforms that optimise the online booking system.”
Schreiber added that the Immigration Advisory Board had been reinstated, signalling the department’s commitment to rebuilding trust.
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