Chair, I am getting paid for only one job. I hope I will not annoy the hon Bloem with a long response. The total number of applications for work permits received in the period 1 January 2005 to 31 January 2010 was 98 093.
The statistical information for the month of February 2010 cannot be provided yet, as it is still being processed. A total number of 10 532 applications for work permits were declined in the period 1 January 2005 to 31 January 2010. A total number of 87 561 work permits were granted in the period 1 January 2005 to 31 January 2010.
The nature of persons who were granted work permits includes the following and forms an integral part of the number of work permits granted: foreign nationals who possess skills and/or knowledge which is not readily available in the Republic of South Africa; exceptionally skilled foreign nationals; foreign nationals who possess qualifications and experience, of which there is an acute shortage in the Republic of South Africa; and foreign nationals who established their own businesses within the Republic of South Africa.
The nature of persons whose applications for work permits were declined includes those with incomplete documentation as prescribed by the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002 and the regulations incorporated in terms thereof, submitted with the applications. It also includes the applicants not complying with the prescribed requirements as set out in the immigration regulations. It included those whose information was not made known in their application, which might be to the detriment of the Republic of South Africa, as well as those whose applications included negative information in respect of their applications, when reviewed. Thank you.
UMBHEXESHI OYINTLOKO WEBHUNGA: Sekela-Sihlalo, ndingathanda ukuqonda kuSekela-Mphathiswa ukuba ingaba urhulumente uqinisekisa njani ukuba la maphepha aza naba bantu bavela kwamanye amazwe ngawenene kwaye naba bantu bangabanini awo la maphepha kunye neziqinisekiso ezo. Oku ndikutsho kuba aba bantu bavela kwamanye amazwe bayayenza into yokuza namaphepha anganyanisekanga. (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)