By Carli Van Wyk
Spokesperson to the Minister of Home Affairs
Yesterday, the Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with other arms of law enforcement, executed a routine, lawful operation in Johannesburg targeted at suspected violations of South African immigration law.
The operation followed after intelligence reports indicated that a number of Kenyan nationals had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and had illegally taken up work at a centre processing the applications of so-called “refugees” to the United States.
This was despite the fact that earlier visa applications for Kenyan nationals to perform this work had been lawfully
declined by the Department.
During the operation, seven Kenyan nationals were discovered engaging in
work despite only being in possession of tourist visas, in clear violation of their conditions of entry into the country.
They were arrested and issued with
deportation orders, and will be prohibited from entering South Africa again for a five-year period.
The operation was carried out according to the same procedures that has
seen Home Affairs dramatically intensify deportations over the past 18 months,
as the South African government diligently works to turn around the longstanding abuse of our immigration and visa system.
No US officials were sted in the process, the operation was not conducted at a diplomatic site, and no members of the public or prospective “refugees” were harassed.
The operation reinforces Home Affairs’ commitment to enforcing the rule of
law without fear or favour, as no person or entity is above these laws.
It also showcases the commitment that South Africa shares with the United States to combating illegal immigration and visa abuse in all its forms.
The presence of foreign officials apparently coordinating with undocumented workers naturally raises serious questions about intent and diplomatic protocol.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has initiated
formal diplomatic engagements with both the United States and Kenya to resolve this matter.
Tshwane Talks readers have been able to read stories in this publication for free for over two years now. We still want our readers to access our stories for free, but we are asking those among our readers who can afford it to contribute at least R30 a month to cover some of the costs of publishing this independent, non-aligned online newspaper which gives a voice to all sectors of society irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion, or political affiliation. You may make your contribution by depositing at least R30 a month into Tshwane Talks' bank account. Details are as follows:
Bank Details
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 10225548834
Account Type: Cheque Account