SAPS to start spot-checks on foreigners
South Africa’s Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi this week gave the SAPS the green light to spot-check foreigners to ascertain whether they were legally in the country.
During a briefing to the Home Affairs portfolio committee on the backlog in permit appeals for asylum seekers and refugees. Motsoaledi said the checks would be lawful. He said, “Police have the right to stop and ask about documentation. It doesn’t have to be production or physical documentation like during apartheid days, meaning you are not forced to carry documents in your pockets everywhere you go. It’s something that can be done on the spot and it will be a pity if somebody has to be arrested because we have to do a manual check”.
Previously, Motsoaledi said Zimbabweans did not bother to apply for visas after the department extended the Zimbabwean exemption permits (ZEP) deadline until June 30, 2023. According to statistics, only 4,000 out of 178,000 Zimbabweans had applied for visas to legalize their stay in SA.
“I wouldn’t say they’re showing us the middle finger. I’d say they have been convinced by these court cases that they shouldn’t bother [applying] because they believe this matter is going to be thrown out by the courts”, Motsoaledi added.
Four different permits were announced namely student, business, work permit, and spousal visas.
- a) Student Visa Applicants Need to provide Proof of:
i). being admitted at a registered learning institution in terms of section 1 of the South African Schools Act, 1996 as well as a college established in terms of the Further Education and Training Colleges Act, 2006.
ii). medical cover is renewed annually for the period of study with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act.
- b) Work Visa Applicants must prove:
i). they are filling a critical skill post and that their employer cannot find an equally qualified South African for the job. Most critical jobs are in sciences whose qualifications make it almost impossible for the generality of Zimbabweans working in South Africa.
The ZEP cancellation and requirement to apply for a new visa align with SA’s review of all visas issued as far back as 2004, but Zimbabweans are the only ones who have to reapply for a visa at the moment.
