Madam Deputy Speaker, immigration matters and matters related to the visa regime that are imposed on South Africans by any country, including the United Kingdom, fall within the ambit of the functions of my colleague here, the hon Minister of Home Affairs. However, as the department co-ordinates international relations for our government, I will share the following information with the hon member.
The governments of South Africa and the United Kingdom discussed immigration matters at the last South Africa-UK Bilateral Forum, held from 7 to 8 July 2008 in Tshwane. On that occasion, the then Minister of Home Affairs held talks with her British counterpart.
Further talks were held in London on 23 February 2009. An agreement on proposed returns could not be reached at that stage. However, what is heartening is that the UK government had confirmed to us that they see this as a temporary measure, whilst we are resolving our internal problems in South Africa.
The government of the United Kingdom announced the imposition of a visa regime on South African nationals in February 2009, with effect from March 2009. My predecessor held discussions with her counterpart in London on 6 March 2009, during which this matter was again discussed.
Relations between South Africa and the UK remain strong and sound and the visa regime remains on the agenda of bilateral discussions between the two governments. I thank you.