No impact assessment done on visa regulations

14 July 2014

According to a reply to a DA Parliamentary Question, a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) was not conducted prior to the introduction of the new visa regulations. 

The failure to conduct such an assessment, despite the clearly anticipated concerns regarding these regulations, is deeply worrying.

An RIA would have allowed for a full analysis of the objectives of these regulations, the risks associated with it, and all economic and social costs of it.

The DA now calls on the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, to withdraw the regulations, and proceed with the impact assessment as soon as possible. This outcome of this assessment should then be brought before the portfolio committee to be considered and scrutinized before any further review takes place.

The hasty implementation of the regulations has resulted in major problems, which have very serious social and economic consequences:

South Africans with spouses who are foreign nationals being separated from their families;

Foreign nationals working in South Africa not given sufficient time to reapply for working permits;

Foreign nationals and business finding it increasingly difficult to obtain visas to enter the country, resulting in a deterrence in foreign investment; and

A decline in tourists coming into the country due to unnecessary red tape hindering the acquisition of visas.

It is high time that Minister Gigaba adhere to the principles of good and efficient governance.

The DA will continue to hold him to account until he does so.

Text of parliamentary reply:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 423

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 04 July 2014

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2014

423. Mr M H Hoosen (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

Was a regulatory impact assessment conducted by his department prior to the implementation of the new visa regulations; if so, what were the results of this assessment? NW505E

REPLY:

No. The Department followed Section 7 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 which indicates that the Minister May make regulations after consultation with the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB).

Statement issued by Haniff Hoosen MP, DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, July 14 2014

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