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BusinessLive reports that Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Minister Leon Schreiber is committed to making his department “a powerful engine of economic growth”, and has taken urgent action to reduce the backlog of permit applications.
On Monday, he stressed the importance of clearing the backlog to unlock scarce skills and grow tourism to create jobs. A dedicated team was set up in April to reduce the backlog, resulting in significant progress, with the backlog of 306,042 applications having been reduced by 92,886, namely a reduction of 30%. Auditing firm Deloitte, as well as First National Bank, will provide additional resources for the visa backlog team. Schreiber indicated in his budget vote speech in the National Assembly: “I have asked to be provided with daily reports on the state of the backlog until it is eradicated. Clearing this backlog is the only way to avoid another extension of the concession on visas, waivers and appeals that has already been granted three times. This is an abnormal situation, and we must get this problem under control so that extensions are no longer necessary.” Long queues outside DHA offices and system downtime will also be addressed. “Alongside steps that have already been taken, such as the streamlining of required documents and the introduction of the trusted employer scheme, we will do much more. This includes finalisation of the points-based system for work visas, rolling out the remote working and start-up visas, updating the critical skills list more regularly, and making it easier for more tourists to visit our beautiful country and spend their valuable foreign currency right here in SA,” Schreiber promised.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive
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