Home Affairs: Visa waiver not a security threat
The Department of Home Affairs says the recent lifting of visa restrictions for visitors from certain countries will not lead to an increase in criminal activity.
The department announced this week that it had waived visas for citizens from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and New Zealand. The department’s Siya Qoza says the countries have been identified as those that bring a high number of visitors to South Africa either for business or tourism and therefore helping grow the economy.
Qoza says citizens from these countries will still have to travel on a valid passport and can stay for up to 90 days. He says security checks will remain a priority.
"We still have immigration officers stationed at our ports of entry and as nations with good relations we do cooperate with each other around areas of travel and security", he said.
"Also as soon as a travel ticket is bought that person is immediately screened and verified and if there is any discomfort we would then advise that particular country and the airline to not allow that person to board.