Madam Deputy Speaker, Cope wishes to note that an investigation by Barry Bateman, who is a journalist with a local radio station, has uncovered what appears to be blatant flouting of immigration laws by the Guptas and by Infinity Media, the parent company of our newly launched television station Africa News Network 7, ANN7.
Seven employees from India, with Indian citizenship, have been confirmed as being in South Africa on a visit and without work permits, and working for African News Network 7. They are allegedly working at the station illegally.
South Africa is one of the leading broadcasters in Africa, competing with the best. During the World Cup in 2010, the SABC was the broadcaster of choice for Fifa, using several of its qualified, skilled and experienced long-serving artisans to train and work with foreign employees.
The Gupta TV network, however, uses workers from India to do the same jobs that South African workers have proven they can do so expertly. Not even the most gullible South African is going to believe that our Department of Home Affairs has failed to respond to the allegations of the flouting of our immigration laws. [Time expired.]