DHA drags feet on immigration reg changes

TRAVEL and tourism authorities
are growing frustrated with the
delay in the implementation of
concessions made to South
Africa’s immigration regulations by
the Inter-Ministerial Committee a
month ago (see TNW November 4).
The regulations came into the
spotlight after English actor,
Idris Elba, had to cancel his trip
to SA after his daughter was
denied entry as she did not have
the necessary documentation
to comply with the immigration
requirements.
Home Affairs spokesperson,
Mayihlome Tshwete, defended the
DHA on Twitter, saying “because
the law came through Parliament it
can’t be changed overnight”.
Minister of Tourism, Derek
Hanekom, rebuffed this, saying
“you really ought to know that the
provisions are in regulations, not
the Act [and therefore don’t need
to be passed by Parliament]”.
DA Shadow Minister of Tourism,
James Vos, called on Deputy
President Cyril Ramaphosa to
resolve the visa regulations issue
and to provide clear time frames
on when the concessions would
take place. “The steps to accept
visa requests by post and set up
biometric testing at its airports
are yet to be implemented.
Visitors with minor children are
still being asked to produce
unabridged birth certificates.
It is of great concern that the
Department is dragging its feet on
this matter.