In view of the increase in the number of undocumented learners in schools in the Republic from 457 917 in 2021 to 796 829 in 2022, with unaffordable DNA tests given as one of the contributing factors, (a) on what date will he introduce free DNA testing for indigent South African parents and (b) what are the reasons for the delay?
(a)&(b)
The fees and tariffs for DNA tests are administered by the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS). The National Health Laboratory Service is a South African national government institution established in terms of the National Health Laboratory Service Act 2000 (Act 37 of 2000) to provide quality, affordable, and sustainable health laboratory and related public health services to all public healthcare providers and other ...
With reference to his statements in respect of his department’s Budget Votes in 2022 and 2023 in which he undertook that his department intends to overhaul the immigration system of the Republic and it has completed its work on the Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Protection policy framework respectively, what progress has been made with regard to both the immigration system and the Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Protection policy framework?
In September 2023, the Department of Home Affairs produced the Draft White Paper on Citizenship, immigration and Refugee Protection: Towards a Complete Overhaul of the Migration System in South Africa. On 29 September 2023, I approved the Draft White Paper for submission to Cabinet to request approval for public consultations. The following progress has been made:
- On 03 October, the Draft White Paper was ...
(1)What (a)(i) number of Home Affairs branches were impacted by the State Information and Technology Agency strike, which started on 18 October 2023 and (ii) is the location of each branch that was affected and (b) measures were put in place to limit the impact of the strike on the delivery of services;
(2) whether any additional costs were incurred due to the strike; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1)(a)(i-ii) 302 service points countrywide which included mobile trucks, health facilities and few Ports of Entry connecting via SITA/MTN LTE were off for over a day.
(1)(b) DHA engaged SITA Executives to understand the risk associated with the industrial action for which SITA assured DHA that there are contingency measures in place to mitigate incidents that might come up.
(2) A plan was put ...
What (a) was the total number of Home Affairs applications received at the SA embassies and missions abroad for (i) passports and (ii) identity documents in (aa) Quarter 1 and (bb) Quarter 2 of the 2023-24 financial year, (b) what is the advertised and/or target turnaround time expressed in weeks for the applications of the specified documents and (c) what is the average turnaround time in weeks for (i) passport and (ii) identity document applications, from the date of submission to the date of return to the relevant embassy or mission abroad?
(a) The total number of applications received by Home Affairs from SA Embassies and missions abroad per requested categories are as follows:
(i) Total number for passports applications is 29 126
(ii) Total number for identity documents received is 2 358
(aa) Quarter 1: The total number of passport applications is 12 265 and for identity documents is 1 264
(bb) Quarter 2: The total ...
How many undocumented immigrants have been deported under the provisions of section 34 of the Immigration Act, Act No 13 of 2002, since the Constitutional Court judgment of 2017?
All deportations are conducted under Section 34 of the Immigration Act, 2002. The number of people deported since the Constitutional Court judgement in the matter of Lawyers for Human Rights and the Minister of Home Affairs and others [2017] is 139 269.
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Whether the Border Management Authority (BMA) administrative personnel will undergo lifestyle audits, in light of the announcement by the Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Mike Masiapato, that regular lifestyle audits will be conducted on the BMA guards to curb corruption, and in view of the fact that the BMA staff complement is constituted of approximately 221 armed law enforcement officers out of the total of 2 100; if not, why not; if so, how often?
The Border Management Authority has as part of its strategic enterprise risk management process, identified seven (07) strategic enterprise/organisational risks of which ‘Fraud and Corruption’ is one. As a mitigation strategy to curb this risk, and given the lack of capacity within the BMA, the Authority has already commenced the process towards appointment of various service providers to “conduct the lifestyle audit ...
When does he intend to publish regulations to section 2(2) of the South African Citizenship Act, 88 of 1995 in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa in the DGLR matter?
The Department, in compliance with Pretoria High Court order, accepts, adjudicates and processes applications submitted on affidavit in terms of section 2(2) of the South African Citizenship Act, 88 of 1995. The amended regulations published on 7 July 2023, are in essence reciprocating the order.
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(1)With reference to his compliance with the judgment in Miriam Ali and others vs Minister of Home Affairs by publishing regulations related to the citizenship applications in terms of section 4(3) of the South African Citizenship Act, 88 of 1995 on 12 June 2023, which he later withdrew on 7 July 2023 with a notice indicating that amended regulations would be published in due course (a)(i) what are the reasons he withdrew the regulations published on 12 June 2023 and (ii) on what date does he intend to publish final regulations, (b) what total number of section 4(3) applications are currently pending and (c) how long will it take to adjudicate and finalise the pending applications;
(2) whether the amended regulations referred to in the notice of 7 July 2023 will be open for public comment, since they differ from the original regulations in material respects; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1)(a)(i) The regulations were withdrawn and subsequently replaced with new regulations which were gazetted on 7 July 2023.
(1)(a)(ii) The final regulations were published on 7 July 2023 in Government Gazette No. 11603.
(b) There are 71 citizenship applications in terms of Section 4(3) that are pending.
(c) The above applications will be adjudicated before the end of November 2023.
2. The amended regulations ...
Regarding impediments to the registration of births, what is the status of (a) establishing birth registration systems at all clinics and/or public hospitals with birth facilities in the Republic and (b) discussions with the Department of Health and/or any other relevant department(s) to provide free DNA testing to indigent South African fathers in order to prove the South African citizenship of a child for the purposes of the late registration of birth?
a) The Department of Home Affairs in collaboration with the National Department of Health (DOH) facilitated the allocation of office space to the Department of Home affairs in health facilities.
There are 41 Priority 1 public health facilities responsible for the delivery of approximately 32.5% births, followed by 109 Priority 2 contributing to the delivery of approximately 36.50% births, 101 Priority 3 responsible for ...
With reference to his reply to question 2018 on 28 June 2023, what (a) steps have been taken to introduce automated online tourism visa applications and not e-visas, (b)(i) measures, (ii) processes, (iii) procedures and (iv) mechanisms are in place to introduce such a system and (c) are the (i) deadlines, (ii) milestones, (iii) time frames and (iv) timelines in this regard?
(a) The type of automated online tourism visa application system the Department has launched is the electronic-visa (e-Visa) system which is similar to the ones many other countries have implemented. The e-Visa platform is designed to accept tourism visas. This is a fully automated system whereby clients apply for their tourist visas online, pay online as well as upload their supporting documents for adjudication ...
