adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
South Africa has scrapped payment of admission of guilt fines by migrants who overstay in that country, and will instead enforce entry bans of between 12 months to five years for those who breach immigration laws. According to a circular to provincial, district and port operations managers – signed by deputy director-general responsible for immigration services Mr Jacky McKay – the changes were effective from last week.
The circular, immigration directive number 9 of 2014, is displayed prominently at Beitbridge Border Post.
“Section 50(1) fines (Overstayer)-departures… in terms of the new act, financial administrative fines for overstayers will cease and be replaced with the following criteria as reflected in regulation number 27 (3) of the new regulations,” reads part of the notice.
“Those who overstay for less than 30 days (first offence in 24 months period) shall be declared undesirable for a period of 12 months and those who repeat a similar offence in 24 months shall be declared undesirable for a period of 24 months.
“Further, those who overstay for 30 days or more to be declared undesirable for a period of 5 years.”
Mr McKay said administrative fines issued prior to May 26 applied, and officials should continue collecting such.
Prior to this, visitors who overstayed in South Africa were fined R1 000, payable at ports of entry/exit or at the South African embassy in their home country.
Online Reporter