Schreiber, Afriforum take tough stance on 95 Libyan nationals’ visa debacle
The 95 Libyans’ visa applications were processed without proper documentation or verification of information provided in their applications.
Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber and AfriForum have taken a tough stance on the 95 Libyan nationals’ visa debacle, flagging our crippled national security situation.
Calling for the digitisation of his department, Schreiber told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Tuesday, August 20, that recent events amount to nothing less than a threat to national security that can only be addressed through a total and sustained digital transformation of Home Affairs to a digital-first department, similar to how online banking and e-filing systems have been transformed.
He pointed out the root cause of the problem to be the current outdated, antiquated, paper-based, manual system that was open to subversion and made Home Affairs vulnerable to fraud, corruption and human discretion.
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“You will see how Libyan nationals obtained visas that were written by hand. How can South Africa regard ourselves as a serious nation when we still allow entrance into our country based on hand-written documents that even a child could forge?” he said.
@lowvelder Lowvelder is attending the appearance of the 95 Libyans who are facing a charge of contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 in the White River Magistrate’s Court today, August 15. The men were expected to appear on August 26 for further investigation, however, the defence advocate, Nico du Plessis, had this to say prior their appearance today. #lybia🇱🇾 #lybya🇱🇾🇱🇾 #libyans #libyantiktok #court #imigration
He said the 95 Libyans’ visa applications were processed without obtaining all of the requisite documentation and without verifying the information contained in the applications.
“How can South Africa regard ourselves as a serious nation when we refuse to embrace something as simple as online applications, which will never even allow a user to click ‘submit’ if the application is not complete?” Schreiber continued.
He added financial disembowelment has left the department emaciated with only 40% of the staff members it required to be effective.
“It is time for Home Affairs to be given the tools and support we urgently require to not only put out fires as we have done in these recent cases, but to also start preventing fires into the future,” he stated.
@lowvelder The 95 Libyan nationals board their flight to Libya which is expected to take off soon. > Video: Bongekile Khumalo #libya🇱🇾 #boarding #airport
Following Schreiber’s presentation, AfriForum released a media statement calling for an urgent and independent investigation into the allegations surrounding the Milites Dei military camp.
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According to the statement, “The discovery of 95 Libyan nationals, allegedly affiliated with the militant group ‘Brigade 20/20’, undergoing military training at an illegal facility in White River, was a glaring example of the government’s inability to protect South Africa’s national security.
@lowvelder A second truck of the Department of Home Affairs’ immigration services transporting more of the 95 Libyan nationals to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is escorted by police. The first group that arrived at the airport earlier is being processed for boarding. A third truck with more men is expected to arrive soon. > Video: Bongekile Khumalo #libya🇱🇾 #libyans #kmi #airportsecurity #airport
These individuals entered the country on supposed ‘study visas’ that were apparently illegally issued by the South African Embassy in Tunis, further underscoring the rampant corruption within these departments and its foreign missions”.
Despite the arrest and subsequent deportation of the Libyans, Afriforum said it questioned the adequacy of the government’s response.
“The charges against the men were inexplicably withdrawn, raising serious questions about the influence of corruption and the lack of accountability within the justice system,” said AfriForum’s chief spokesperson for community safety, Jacques Broodryk.
@lowvelder A high-profile police delegation led by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu visited the facility, and provided some feedback about what they had found there. Read more more on Lowveld media website. #mpumalanga nelspruit militarybase
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He said AfriForum, therefore, demanded a full, transparent and independent investigation into the issuance of these fraudulent visas and the broader failure of border control in South Africa.
@lowvelder The third group of the 95 Libyan nationals arrived just before 11:00, joining the two other groups at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for their deportation to Libya. The CemAir ZS-CMN flight has taken off. The men arrived in South Africa in April and were arrested at a Milites Dei Security Services training centre outside White River in July 26. > Video: Bongekile Khumalo
