DHA plans change at ORIIA

THE Department of
Home Affairs is looking
to implement a new
system for travellers
departing from OR Tambo
International Airport.
During the festive
season, the DHA piloted
a system of separate
queues at immigration for
SA citizens and foreigners
at departures. “This pilot
project showed there is
value in implementing
this option permanently
because the service
required by citizens and
other travellers at the
airport is different,” says
Malusi Gigaba, Minister of
Home Affairs.
But Chris Zweigenthal,
ceo of Aasa, says he
is not convinced the
separation of passengers
at departures will be
beneficial.
He says that at arrivals,
where separate queues for
SA citizens and foreigners
are already in place, this
makes sense because the
immigration desks process
an influx of passengers
in one shot. Foreigners
require further checks,
including documentation
checks and the possible
collection of biometrics.
Whereas, at departures,
he says, checks are
more sporadic. Travellers
visas are checked and
sometimes biometrics are
captured if they had not
been captured on arrival.
The DHA also said it
would allocate R25m to
ORTIA for the 2017/2018
financial year with the
aim of appointing 58
immigration officials.
A further R17m will be
allocated to the airport in
the 2018/2019 financial
year to again increase
staff capacity.
Gigaba also says Cabinet
and the department may
scale down the number of
airports with international
status.
“We may have to declare
some of the international
airports as just seasonal
airports, so that we deploy
personnel and resources
according to the type of
season.”
For this to happen,
Gigaba says the DHA
needs to consult with
several stakeholders,
including the Department
of Tourism, before it can
proceed .