Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber's Budget Vote 2024 Speech

On 15 July 2024, Dr Leon Schreiber, the Home Affairs Minister, delivered the Budget Vote 2024 speech. He emphasised the central role of the Department of Home Affairs in the lives of South Africans, touching upon its involvement from birth to death and major life events in between.

Dr Schreiber underscored the importance of dignity, which the department provides through various services such as identity confirmation, banking, pensions, and more.

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Economic Growth and Immigration Reforms

Dr Schreiber positioned Home Affairs as an engine for economic growth, focusing on job creation and the enhancement of immigration policies.

He highlighted the department's role in Operation Vulindlela, which links a 1.25% increase in South African employment with a 1% rise in skilled, legal immigration.

To support this, the department will implement reforms including a points-based system for work visas, remote working visas, and start-up visas, and regularly update the critical skills list.

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Addressing Visa Backlogs

The minister addressed the visa backlog, revealing that a dedicated team led by Ms Elize Breytenbach has reduced the backlog by 30%, processing over 92,000 applications.

The partnership with Business Unity South Africa and resources from Deloitte and First National Bank aim to further alleviate this issue.

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Immigration Advisory Board and Legal Compliance

Dr Schreiber announced the reactivation of the Immigration Advisory Board to improve stakeholder relationships and provide evidence-based advice on immigration policies.

The department is also committed to addressing legal challenges and court orders, such as the provision of smart ID cards to naturalised citizens and reinstating citizenship for those affected by the invalid section 6(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act.

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Border Security Enhancements

The minister emphasised the importance of border security for national security and economic growth. He detailed the deployment of 400 Junior Border Guards to critical entry points and the interception of illegal activities.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) received funding for critical security and ICT equipment to support these efforts.

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Technological Improvements and Service Accessibility

Home Affairs aims to stabilise its online systems and reduce downtime. Upgrades to fibre networks and the expansion of office locations, including mobile trucks, are part of the strategy to improve service delivery and reduce queues.

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Tackling Corruption

Dr Schreiber condemned corruption within the department, highlighting recent convictions and ongoing investigations by the Special Investigation Unit. He assured that the department's Counter Corruption and Security Services Branch would be strengthened.

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IEC and GPW Responsibilities

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and Government Printing Works (GPW) also fall under this budget. The IEC's budget supports electoral processes, and the GPW focuses on producing secure documents and certifications. Plans include refreshing passports and smart ID cards.

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International Migration and Legislative Reforms

The minister addressed the need for global support in managing migration and outlined legislative reforms, including the Marriage Bill and amendments to the Immigration Act, to align with the new administration's priorities.

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Conclusion and Acknowledgements

The speech highlighted the attendance of notable guests, including immigration practitioner Andreas Krensel of IBN Immigration Solutions. Dr Schreiber reflected the importance of stakeholder engagement in the department's initiatives.

Dr Schreiber concluded by acknowledging exemplary Home Affairs officials and their commitment to providing dignified services. He reiterated the department's mission to restore dignity and enhance service delivery.

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Our Message to Home Affairs

On July 2nd, shortly after the appointment of Dr Leon Schreiber as the new South African Department of Home Affairs Minister, we also shared the below video, discussing the changes and improvements we hope to see under the leadership of Dr Schreiber: