The Department of Home Affairs said transnational crimes such as terrorism, drug-trafficking, illegal arms, money-laundering and illegal migration would come under the microscope once again, following a high-level delegation meeting with Kenyan authorities this week.
Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba, who led the delegation to Kenya, said these particular issues were preventing a strong push by African authorities to implement free movement plans for travellers on the continent.
The meeting took place at the request of Gigaba’s Kenyan counterpart Joseph Nkaissery.
“While hailing the warm and cordial relations which continue to flourish between Kenya and South Africa, and noting that the free movement of people is key to further enhancing these excellent bilateral relations, the two Ministers concurred that this particular visit offered the prime opportunity for deepening the ties and expanding the scope of collaboration between the two countries,” read a statement released by the Department of Home Affairs this week.
“The two Ministers lauded this visit as a way of opening an important door to the establishment of a high-level strategic dialogue that will ensure issues are resolved amicably and expeditiously.
“The two Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of the decisions of the various technical meetings in the area of immigration, especially the meetings of 4th August and 9th – 11th November, 2015 held in Nairobi and Pretoria, respectively,” continued the statement.
Despite the apparent hurdles, the two delegations were able to agree on certain areas.
Among them were the following:
– Visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
– Decrease of service fee from $71 to $49.
– Issuing of three-year multiple entry visa for frequent travellers.
– Ten year multiple entry visa for frequent business travellers and academics.
– Issuing of study visas for the duration of study (including extending permanent residence to those studying within the critical skills category).
– Removal of transit visas for travellers transiting through South African airports.
– Hon. Gigaba will meet with representatives of the Kenyan/South African private sector with a view to learning the challenges faced by the Kenyan business community in their travels to South Africa as well as exchanging views on how to ease the business people’s visa requests.
Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba, who led the delegation to Kenya, said these particular issues were preventing a strong push by African authorities to implement free movement plans for travellers on the continent.
The meeting took place at the request of Gigaba’s Kenyan counterpart Joseph Nkaissery.
“While hailing the warm and cordial relations which continue to flourish between Kenya and South Africa, and noting that the free movement of people is key to further enhancing these excellent bilateral relations, the two Ministers concurred that this particular visit offered the prime opportunity for deepening the ties and expanding the scope of collaboration between the two countries,” read a statement released by the Department of Home Affairs this week.
“The two Ministers lauded this visit as a way of opening an important door to the establishment of a high-level strategic dialogue that will ensure issues are resolved amicably and expeditiously.
“The two Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of the decisions of the various technical meetings in the area of immigration, especially the meetings of 4th August and 9th – 11th November, 2015 held in Nairobi and Pretoria, respectively,” continued the statement.
Despite the apparent hurdles, the two delegations were able to agree on certain areas.
Among them were the following:
– Visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
– Decrease of service fee from $71 to $49.
– Issuing of three-year multiple entry visa for frequent travellers.
– Ten year multiple entry visa for frequent business travellers and academics.
– Issuing of study visas for the duration of study (including extending permanent residence to those studying within the critical skills category).
– Removal of transit visas for travellers transiting through South African airports.
– Hon. Gigaba will meet with representatives of the Kenyan/South African private sector with a view to learning the challenges faced by the Kenyan business community in their travels to South Africa as well as exchanging views on how to ease the business people’s visa requests.
