By Phenyo Selinda
Work is underway to position the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) as a powerful engine for economic growth. Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has emphasised the department’s crucial role in achieving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, a priority set by the Government of National Unity.
Presenting the DHA’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Monday, Schreiber highlighted the importance of accelerating the reforms introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa through Operation Vulindlela. This government-driven initiative aims to speed up the implementation of structural reforms in key sectors to foster inclusive economic growth.
“The Apex Priority of the Government of National Unity, as captured in our shared Statement of Intent, is to generate rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth to create jobs,” said Schreiber.
Boosting the Economy with Scarce Skills
Schreiber noted that the National Treasury has identified increasing the availability of scarce skills in the labour market as the second most powerful step to grow the economy and create jobs for South Africans, just behind the eradication of load shedding.
“To fulfil this mandate of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Home Affairs will enhance our role as an economic enabler by accelerating the implementation of Operation Vulindlela’s reforms. Alongside steps already taken, such as the streamlining of required documents and the introduction of the Trusted Employer Scheme, we will do much more,” Schreiber stated.
Trusted Employer Scheme
The Trusted Employer Scheme, a key recommendation of the work visa review, allows major investors and large employers to follow a streamlined process with improved turnaround times. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to attract and retain critical skills in the country.
Addressing the Backlog
Schreiber also addressed the urgent need to clear the backlog in the processing of permits, which is essential for unlocking scarce skills and boosting tourism to create jobs.
“The department has set up a dedicated team to reduce the backlog. I am pleased to report that we are starting to see progress. Our dedicated team has already reduced the backlog by processing 92 886 applications out of a total of 306 042. This is a reduction of 30%. But we must do more, because 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,” Schreiber explained.
He added that receiving daily reports on the backlog’s status will ensure that the department remains focused on eradicating it.
Building Trust with Stakeholders
Schreiber underscored the importance of repairing relationships with key stakeholders to build trust and form the necessary partnerships to move forward. This is particularly urgent as the department is currently overwhelmed with costly court cases, often resulting from delayed application processing.
“This is especially urgent because the department is currently inundated with costly court cases that it cannot afford,” Schreiber said
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