Even idiots respect Albert Einstein. And understand that mankind
quotes the Master Scientist so often because most of what he had to
say makes sense. One of Einstein`s best is his definition of insanity:
doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
This is the reference point which leads many rational South Africans
to describe their country`s political leadership as lunatics. Among
them the underwhelming Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa who somehow
believes simply saying millions of jobs will be created makes it so.
At his shoulder is once highly rated Home Affairs head Malusi Gigaba,
who is blinkered when it comes to the destruction wrought by his
impractical new Visa laws. Gigaba appears incapable of joining the
dots. Warren Buffett talks of the ABC of business – Arrogance,
Bureaucracy and Complacency. The ABCs are even more cataclysmic when
applied in the public sector. – Alec Hogg
Cape Town – Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba should be asked why he
is not taking heed of the private sector`s concerns regarding the
decline in tourist numbers and the resulting outcry of the tourism
industry, Beverley Schäfer, DA Western Cape spokesperson on economic
opportunities, tourism and agriculture, said on Tuesday.
According to the latest Tourism Business Index of the Tourism Business
Council of SA business performance levels across the tourism value
chain have dropped from 99.9 points in the first quarter to 83.6
points in the second quarter. This is the lowest performance level
since the third quarter of 2011.
"These [visa] regulations can potentially destroy 22 000 jobs,

split
families and prevent people from entering SA that could positively
contribute to our economy," she said.
Schäfer chaired a meeting of the Western Cape Provincial Government`s
standing committee on economic opportunities, tourism and agriculture.
At the meeting the province`s Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan
Winde answered questions by committee members regarding concerns
relating to South Africa`s visa regulations.
"Today the standing committee heard of the negative impact these
onerous regulations have on the tourism industry, especially on the
Western Cape," said Schäfer.
"Once again Minister Gigaba has failed the people of SA and the
Western Cape. He has yet to respond to my report hand delivered to his
office or letters sent to him."
Schäfer said she wants Gigaba to indicate where the review is that
President Jacob Zuma promised in his State of the Nation Address and
where the inter-ministerial team is which Gigaba must lead to
investigate complaints raised about the new visa regulations.
She wants Gigaba to account to the national portfolio committee on
tourism "for the negative impact and consequences these regulations
have had on the tourism industry and the economy at large".
"The goal in the National Development Plan (NDP) is to create an
additional one million jobs in the tourism sector, which Minister
Gigaba has put at risk in his refusal to back down and his
department`s recent denial of a negative impact on tourism," said
Schäfer. – Fin24 V.1072

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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