- In just two months, the Department of Home Affairs has resolved a backlog of 250,000 identity documents.
- Minister Leon Schreiber is now addressing visa-related challenges within the department.
- Many South Africans believe the minister should prioritize deporting undocumented immigrants.
Let’s give it up for the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), folks. They’ve been working overtime to turn things around, and the results are starting to show. It’s no secret that Home Affairs has had its share of challenges over the years, but under the leadership of new minister Dr. Leon Schreiber, things are finally looking up.
You know what they say—change starts at the top. And Dr. Schreiber is proving that saying right. In a recent interview with eNCA, he shared how the department has successfully tackled a major issue that’s been weighing them down for far too long.
Clearing the ID Backlog: A Major Win
Here’s the scoop: The DHA has finally cleared a backlog of nearly 250,000 identity documents that had been piling up since November 2023. Minister Schreiber proudly announced that the ID system is now fully up to date, marking a significant milestone for the department.
Read also:Vittorio Assaf The Restaurateur Who Turned A Sea Adventure Into An Empire
This achievement is more than just a pat on the back—it shows that the department is making real progress, even if it will take some time to implement all of their long-term plans. Schreiber emphasized that this is only the beginning, and there’s much more work to be done to ensure the department operates smoothly and efficiently.
Visa Backlog: The Next Challenge
With the ID issue now resolved, the DHA has shifted its focus to another pressing matter: the visa backlog. Believe it or not, this backlog dates all the way back to 2014, and it’s been causing headaches for countless applicants ever since.
But here’s the good news: The department has already cleared 62% of the backlog, and they’re not stopping there. Minister Schreiber praised the officials leading the project, saying, “I must really commend the team for getting this done in just about a month. Their dedication and hard work are paying off.”
What South Africans Think
While the news from the DHA might seem like a step in the right direction, not everyone is celebrating. Some South Africans are expressing their frustration on social media, feeling that the department should be focusing its efforts elsewhere.
Take @Malumz1128540, for example, who questioned the legitimacy of the IDs in the backlog: “How many fraudulent IDs are we talking about here?” Meanwhile, @Patriot_Girll wasn’t shy about sharing her opinion: “Wow, so what? Should we throw a party? He needs to deport illegal immigrants and stop playing games with us.”
Others chimed in with their own concerns. Darius Beedles quipped, “They have a backlog but want us to change our Bibles,” while Onkabetse Given asked, “What about the Chidimma Adetshina case? Any updates from the department?”
Read also:Anderson Cooper Investigates The Burning Of 50 Putco Buses In Mpumalanga
Bekele Yacob shared his personal experience: “I’ve been waiting since 2019. If my application isn’t on the list, then this so-called news from DHA is either fake or something went terribly wrong.” Mol Mak summed it up by urging the department to “fix the influx of illegal foreigners as urgently as possible.”
Uncovering Corruption in Home Affairs
Rampant Issues Within the Department
Unfortunately, the DHA hasn’t been without its share of controversies. Briefly News previously uncovered a major corruption scandal within the department, revealing that foreign nationals were paying officials to obtain birth certificates and passports illegally.
The details are alarming: A birth certificate could be purchased for as much as R1,000, while passports were going for a staggering R45,000. This kind of corruption not only undermines the integrity of the department but also raises serious concerns about national security.
As the DHA continues to make strides in resolving backlogs and addressing public concerns, it’s crucial that they tackle these deeper-rooted issues head-on. Only then can they truly regain the trust of the South African people.
