Dear Honourable Minister

We assist the public in applying for visas and permits.

Over the last year, we have noticed the following tendency:
- Almost every visitor’s extension is adjudicated incorrectly. Although the required extension date is highlighted, the approval is never for the required period.
- If an appeal for rectification is lodged, the processing of such an appeal is not done within the required time frame. Some tourist leave the country with the documentation proving that DHA has made a mistake, and are then issued with a fine and declared undesirable for a period of 5 years!! These tourists have done everything correctly and then are banned from South Africa!
- Applications for permanent residence are currently on a processing period of 3 years. Even after waiting for such a long period, these applications are then constantly adjudicated incorrectly. Appealing does not really help as such takes years again to be reviewed.
- No e-mails to the Department are ever answered. This is a poor display of arrogance and disrespect towards foreign citizens.

There seems to be a concerted effort to not grant any permanent residence permits or extensions of visas. Where are these officials that constantly and deliberately make these mistakes? Why are they not taken to task?? Who are these people and where are they hiding within the Department? What is their agenda?

Needless to say that these officials are causing irreparable damage to the Republic. Foreign investors are shied away and those tourists will never ever return to South Africa again. Whilst our honourable President is seeking foreign investors, Home Affairs is certainly not assisting our presidency in its efforts.

What is the leadership at the Department doing against such injustice that is done on a daily basis to foreigners??

Looking forward to your response, many thanks in advance,

With best regards,

Tony R. Hug