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IOL News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Only truth will set you free, minister Schreiber
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber needs no reminder that his job requires him to be consistent. While he has to be commended for how he has tackled issues at Home Affairs, he needs to be taken on for his continued refusal to disclose details around Cape Independence Advocacy Group leader Phil Craig's immigration status. Image: Ntswe Mokoena/GCIS HOME Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber set the bar high with his handling of the former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina saga, in particular the investigation into how her mother had obtained a South African citizenship. For years, South Africans longed to have a Home Affairs Department that was rock solid, with little to no room for malfeasance that could not only endanger individual citizens, but the security of the country as a whole. We longed to see our borders and ports of entry tightened to prevent criminals from exploiting the country. However, minister after minister, the ANC paid lip service to these basic yet very important demands. Corruption became the order of the day at Home Affairs, with some officials abusing the position they were entrusted with to sell fake passports and IDs. The investigation into the Adetshina saga partly confirmed this; that a South African citizen's identity may have been compromised, presumably with the help of a Home Affairs official. That probe also confirmed that indeed it was possible to rid that department of the rot that Home Affairs had been known for. The saga related to Adetshina perhaps came at the right time for Schreiber to prove that he was the man to change the state of affairs in that department. The minister does, however, need to be reminded that his position in government requires him to be consistent. There can't be rules for some and another set of rules for others. His continued refusal to disclose details around Cape Independence Advocacy Group leader Phil Craig's immigration status could reverse whatever progress he has made in such a short space of time. Continuing to procrastinate with answers about Craig's status could also fuel many perceptions, including that he is being shielded because of the colour of his skin, something Schreiber's party, the DA has often been accused of. If Craig is to be believed over his call for the Western Cape to be its own country, then it follows that questions about his status are promptly answered. Surely these should not be that difficult to answer if everything was above board.
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister Schreiber faces mounting pressure over Phil Craig's citizenship status
Parliamentarians want a comprehensive report from Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber on the immigration status of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group's Phil Craig Image: Supplied Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber is under pressure to provide a comprehensive report to Parliament on the immigration status of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group leader Phil Craig. This comes after the home affairs portfolio committee met yesterday to consider Craig's citizenship amidst his advocacy for the secession of the Western Cape to form an independent republic. Committee chairperson Musa Chabane expressed dissatisfaction with Schreiber's report, labeling it a 'by the way response' to all the issues that have been raised. 'We must refer back this matter to the minister to give us a comprehensive detail on all matters involved on this individual,' Chabane said. Craig has been subject of parliamentary questions with MPs wanting to know the details of his citizenship, especially whether he was naturalised person or permanent resident in the country. Schreiber has also been asked whether he will initiate a review of Craig's dual citizenship. In his written responses, Schreiber referred MPs to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act and the Protection of Personal Information Act and in at least one response stated that departmental records do not show any application for naturalisation from Craig. This has not stopped recent calls for Craig's deportation and denial of his South African citizenship. ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni strongly condemned Schreiber's vague answers, drawing parallels to the recent case involving Miss SA contestant Chidimna Adetshina, when it emerged her mother was undocumented. 'There is absolutely no way we can accept half hearted reports from the department, particularly the minister, who has the power to confer or accept somebody's plea citizenship or lack thereof. I doubt that Mr Phil Craig passes the citizens' test,' she said. Ngobeni also said the committee should push Schreiber to give an unequivocal response as Craig's application sits on his desk and his thoughts around affording him citizenship in the country. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'The interesting thing about Phil Craig is that he is applying to be a citizen of a republic he does not believe in. We don't currently have a Republic of the Western Cape in this country,' she said. Ngobeni also said Schreiber should receive a letter that indicated he needed to come back and account "the very same way everybody went after Chidima when her matter was on the table". EFF MP Thapelo Mogale echoed Ngobeni's sentiments that a strong message should be sent to Schreiber as it was unacceptable that the committee had to wait. 'This matter has been raised for over a month with the minister. In the previous meeting, two weeks ago when he was supposed to come and respond, he did not attend that meeting. We understood that he was in Lesotho for a bilateral meeting but until now we don't have a clear answer as to the status of this particular individual in South Africa,' he said. Mogale noted that President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in an interview that Craig was a permanent resident. 'When we ask the minister as members of this committee through written questions to provide clarity on the status of this person, the minister tells us about PAIA and POPIA Acts and all those things that limit our access to this information. 'We want to know whether this guy is a permanent resident of South Africa, if he applied for citizenship, whether that citizenship will be given or not,' he said. MK Party's MP Sihle Ngubane said Schreiber should not take them for a ride on the issue of Craig.
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Parliament demands answers from Minister Schreiber on Phil Craig's immigration status
Parliamentarians want a comprehensive report from Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber on the immigration status of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group's Phil Craig Image: Supplied Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber is under pressure to provide a comprehensive report to Parliament on the immigration status of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group leader Phil Craig. This comes after the home affairs portfolio committee met on Tuesday to consider Craig's citizenship amidst his advocacy for the secession of the Western Cape to form an independent republic. Committee chairperson Musa Chabane expressed dissatisfaction with Schreiber's report, labeling it a 'by the way response' to all the issues that have been raised. 'We must refer back this matter to the minister to give us a comprehensive detail on all matters involved on this individual,' Chabane said. Craig has been subject of parliamentary questions with MPs wanting to know the details of his citizenship, especially whether he was naturalised person or permanent resident in the country. Schreiber has also been asked whether he will initiate a review of Craig's dual citizenship. In his written responses, Schreiber referred MPs to the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act and the Protection of Personal Information Act and in at least one response stated that departmental records do not show any application for naturalisation from Craig. This has not stopped recent calls for Craig's deportation and denial of his South African citizenship. ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni strongly condemned Schreiber's vague answers, drawing parallels to the recent case involving Miss SA contestant Chidimna Adetshina, when it emerged her mother was undocumented. 'There is absolutely no way we can accept half hearted reports from the department, particularly the minister, who has the power to confer or accept somebody's plea citizenship or lack thereof. I doubt that Mr Phil Craig passes the citizens' test,' she said. Ngobeni also said the committee should push Schreiber to give an unequivocal response as Craig's application sits on his desk and his thoughts around affording him citizenship in the country. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'The interesting thing about Phil Craig is that he is applying to be a citizen of a republic he does not believe in. We don't currently have a Republic of the Western Cape in this country,' she said. Ngobeni also said Schreiber should receive a strong letter that indicated he needed to come back and account 'the very same way everybody went after Chidima when her matter was on the table'. 'There is absolutely no way that we can tolerate people who want to be in this country to divide it and also to advocate for some kind for some balkanisation of our country. It is absolutely unacceptable. We need to make the minister to understand that, without any fear or favour,' she added. EFF MP Thapelo Mogale echoed Ngobeni's sentiments that a strong message should be sent to Schreiber as it was unacceptable that the committee had to wait. 'This matter has been raised for over a month with the minister. In the previous meeting, two weeks ago when he was supposed to come and respond, he did not attend that meeting. We understood that he was in Lesotho for a bilateral meeting but until now we don't have a clear answer as to the status of this particular individual in South Africa,' he said. Mogale noted that President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in an interview that Craig was permanent resident. 'When we ask the minister as members of this committee through written questions to provide clarity on the status of this person, the minister tells us about PAIA and POPIA Acts and all those things that limit our access to this information. 'We want to know whether this guy is a permanent resident of South Africa, if he applied for citizenship, whether that citizenship will be given or not,' he said. MK Party's MP Sihle Ngubane said Schreiber should not take them for a ride on the issue of Craig.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Phil Craig's Citizenship Controversy Explained
'My rights, just as for anyone else, are enshrined in the constitution' The citizenship status of Phil Craig, a British national and key figure in the Cape independence movement, will soon come under scrutiny during a meeting of parliament's portfolio committee on home affairs. Craig is the leader of the Referendum Party and co-founder and spokesperson for the Cape Independence Advocacy Group, based in the Western Cape. Five interesting things about him Craig has been in South Africa for more than 20 years with no citizenship He has had a petition calling for his deportation, which gained nearly 50 000 signatures He writes for the Daily Friend His Referendum Party proposed a non-racialism bill He advocated for the cessation of the Western Cape ALSO READ: Presidency responds to questions about the citizenship of Cape Independence's Phil Craig Citizenship status The Presidency has publicly confirmed that Craig is not a South African citizen. 'Phil Craig is not a citizen of South Africa; he's still a permanent resident and has yet to be naturalised. It is a concern that someone who has left his own country of birth has come to SA to sow seeds of division as he has been doing,' said Magwenya in March this year. This came after Craig sparked controversy for allegedly leading a movement which the Presidency deemed divisive. Magwenya further said, 'It is perplexing why he seeks citizenship when his views or intentions are to divide the country. We will not allow him to do that. He can travel the world seeking support for his ideas. It will not happen now or any other time.' Speaking to The Citizen in March this year, Craig said he had every right to interfere in South African politics like anyone else. In response to earlier accusations of leading a racist movement, Craig dismissed the claims, stating,'Only in South Africa is the author of a non-racialism bill, which seeks to end all race-based policy in South Africa, routinely accused of being racist.' 'My rights, just as for anyone else, are enshrined in the constitution, and I am fully entitled to exercise them. Opponents of Cape Independence should focus much more on the process; when they do, they will realise I am not the issue.'
Ya Biladi
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
After Algeria, South Africa confronts new independence movement
The South African government is facing a growing independence movement in the Cape. Led by white Afrikaners descended from Dutch settlers, the movement is organized under the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG). Its leaders plan to travel to the United States in April to seek support from Donald Trump, who stated in February that South Africa's white minority is the victim of unjust racial discrimination. The CIAG is calling on South African authorities to hold a self-determination referendum in the Cape— a request that was rejected this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa. His spokesperson, as reported by local media, reaffirmed the government's stance: «Our constitutional democracy that we forged in 1994 created a singular nonracial society that recognises and protects our unity and diversity. From Musina to Cape Town we are one democratic society that should never be allowed to fall under the chasm of race divides», he emphasized. «There's no part of our beautiful land that can be allowed to secede. The president cautions everyone to exercise his or her constitutional right but to do so in the manner that does not undermine and subvert constitutional democracy in South Africa», the spokesperson warned. Ramaphosa's firm rejection of Cape independence echoes Algeria's stance on the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), led by Ferhat Mehenni. Algiers has even classified the MAK as a terrorist organization. Yet, despite opposing separatist movements within their own borders, both Algiers and Pretoria remain staunch allies of the Polisario.
