The successful deployment of drones to help secure South Africa’s borders and curb illegal crossings over the Easter holiday stands as further testament to the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) vision of becoming a digital-first institution for enhanced service delivery and tackling pressing challenges through innovation.
It is well within the powers of the South African Revenue Services (SARS) to limit a taxpayer’s right to travel outside the Republic. A section in the Tax Administration Act (TAA) has a provision whereby a senior SARS official can even require for “the taxpayer to surrender his or her passport to SARS”.
Former home affairs director-general Dr Mavuso Msimang will chair a newly appointed immigration advisory board (IAB) to guide government policy. He recently led the Operation Vulindlela review of the visa system, was a co-founder of the African Parks Network and previously held senior positions in SA Tourism and the State IT Agency (Sita).
The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber announced a welcome and timeous reprieve to foreign nationals with pending waivers, long-term visas and appeal applications, submitted in South Africa to travel and remain in the country with specific conditions, just days before the current concession comes to an end.
As the 31 March 2025 deadline for the current Department of Home Affairs (DHA) concession approaches, many foreign nationals with pending visa and appeal applications are anxiously awaiting news. However, there is growing optimism that Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, will announce another extension—continuing his track record of protecting valid visa holders while the Department works through the final stages of clearing longstanding backlogs.
