‘Home Affairs is a scapegoat for failing business,’ Motsoaledi

Aaron Motsoaledi has said Home Affairs is a scapegoat for the failures of business in South Africa. Following admissions that the Minister of Home Affairs does not know how many undocumented migrants are in the country, he has now dismissed criticism that his department is causing a skills crisis in the country.

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In a report from Daily Investor referencing Bloomberg, Motsoaledi has clapped back at his critics by saying the Department of Home Affairs is a scapegoat, due to its perceived inability to process work-permit applications.

HOME AFFAIRS IS A SCAPEGOAT

The Minister of Home Affairs says his department is working expeditiously to process any and all requests in the pipeline. And there is no backlog of critical-skills applications in South Africa. Companies are complaining they can’t fill high-skill positions because Home Affairs cannot process visas to get experts into the country. And consequently this means the companies can’t invest and expand in South Africa.

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However, the Minister’s statement is at odds with a report commissioned by the South African presidency. In the dossier it was said lengthy delays in processing work visas were hampering growth and deterring investment in the country.

BIG THREAT TO THE COUNTRY

The report’s findings went on to say that a lack of critical skills was the second-biggest threat to the economy after loadshedding. Motsoaledi gave an interview on eNCA television in which he said: “I am starting to believe that when businessmen are failing to step up and improve the economy, Home Affairs is a scapegoat. We do everything in our power to help business,” he concluded.

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Numbers from the presidency report would suggest otherwise. Here’s how long it takes to process visa applications on average, according to the report:

• South Africa – 48 weeks.
• Kenya – 12 weeks.
• Nigeria – 8 weeks.

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Do you think Home Affairs is a scapegoat for other failings in the country? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.

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