Latest news with #ImmigrationAct13of2002
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- The Citizen
Metro police step up road safety operations
The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) intensified its efforts to promote road safety during operations across various regions in the city on May 23. According to the TMPD, the operations focused on curbing drunk driving to reduce accidents, injuries and deaths on the road. 'TMPD members in Region 1 Sector 2, Akasia, held an anti-drunk driving operation that yielded good results,' said TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba. He said 19 arrests were made, 13 for driving under the influence of intoxicating substances, four for public drinking and two for contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. The Tshwane Metro Police Department operational successes. #TMPDsafety — Tshwane Metro Police (@TMPDSafety) May 24, 2025 Mahamba said another anti-drunk driving operation was in Centurion. Region 4 officers arrested seven people for driving under the influence of intoxicating substances and two for public drinking. 'Furthermore, Region 5 officers in Rayton arrested two people for driving under the influence of intoxicating substances,' he explained. In a separate crackdown on traffic law violations, the TMPD Public Transport Unit impounded 15 delivery motorcycles in Hatfield. TMPD Public Transport Unit members impounded 15 delivery motorcycles in Hatfield. The motorcycles were impounded for various offences including failure to register and license and failure to comply with roadworthiness. #TMPDsafety — Tshwane Metro Police (@TMPDSafety) May 24, 2025 Mahamba said the impoundments were for various compliance and roadworthiness offences. He said several other vehicles were inspected, and Aarto infringement notices were issued to motorists in contravention of the road traffic rules. Mahamba said these operations will continue to ensure that the rules of the road are adhered to and the safety of all road users is prioritised. According to the Gauteng Liquor Act 2/2003, Section 127c and d, no person is permitted to consume liquor or be under the influence of alcohol in or near a public place. Chief of police Commissioner Yolanda Faro commended all officers for their hard work and dedication. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
NPA continues with Timothy Omotoso appeal despite him leaving South Africa
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it will continue with its appeal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso's acquittal judgment despite his departure from South Africa. Omotoso, who was acquitted of charges including rape, racketeering and human trafficking, left South Africa yesterday. 'The South African legal system does not require active participation or presence of an accused person during the hearing of an appeal by a court. An appeal process requires the involvement of the legal teams of the appellants and respondents, the Registrar of the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal and the judiciary. 'Timothy Omotoso is not a fugitive from justice; there are no legal grounds to prevent him from leaving the country. His departure means that 'person considered undesirable', is no longer enjoying his life in this country, pending the outcome of the appeal, which could take a long time to finalise,' the NPA said in a statement today. Furthermore, if successful, the prosecutorial body will apply for his extradition back to the country. 'The NPA will utilise all existing bilateral, regional and international co-operation treaties and mechanisms to ensure he is extradited to South Africa. These include our bilateral extradition treaty with Nigeria and the Commonwealth Scheme for extradition,' the statement read. At a recent media briefing, Cabinet noted and welcomed the NPA's decision to appeal the recent acquittal of Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho. Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs has noted Omotoso's departure. The department had taken the controversial pastor to court for alleged contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. 'This comes after the Minister of Home Affairs rejected an application submitted by Omotoso in terms of section 8(7) of the Immigration Act that sought to overturn an earlier decision of the Department to declare Omotoso as a prohibited person. The minister's decision meant that Omotoso was illegally in the Republic of South Africa. 'Upon his departure, Omotoso was still a prohibited person, and given that he was illegally in the country, he was issued with a notification as an undesirable person, meaning that he will not be able to return to the country for five years. 'On expiry of that five-year ban, he will have to apply for his prohibition to be [lifted] in terms of section 29 of the Immigration Act. The Department of Home Affairs continues to be guided by our unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law without fear or favour,' the department said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- The Citizen
Border Management Authority officials nabbed in Beitbridge sting
Two Border Management Authority (BMA) immigration officials and several other suspects are facing charges of corruption after being arrested during an intelligence-driven operation at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. The operation conducted by the BMA resulted in the arrest of the two BMA immigration officials, five undocumented foreign nationals and two suspected facilitators involved in the alleged unlawful entry of persons into the country, and contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. The operation, executed on Tuesday at approximately 09:00, was led by two executive members of the BMA following extensive movement monitoring and the deployment of advanced technological surveillance at the port. After confirming suspicious behaviour, the executives contacted SAPS detectives in Musina, the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit and the Local Criminal Record Centre to process the case further. During the operation, the executives observed a white Mercedes-Benz taxi parked near a shop at the port. Two BMA immigration officials, a 61-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, were seen engaging with the facilitator and allowed the taxi to pass through, allegedly after receiving a bribe. The vehicle was intercepted shortly thereafter and was transporting 18 passengers, 13 of who held valid travel documents, while five were undocumented foreign nationals. A female passenger and the taxi driver, believed to have facilitated the illegal entry, were also arrested. All nine suspects were charged with corruption and appeared in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. The five undocumented individuals face additional charges under the Immigration Act. The case was postponed until yesterday for a formal bail application. The outcome of the bail application was not know at the time of publishing. The BMA has since suspended the two officials, pending the outcome of internal disciplinary processes and the criminal investigation. Acting commissioner of the BMA, Jane Thupana, commended the proactive involvement of the BMA executive team on the ground and reaffirmed the authority's commitment to cleaning up the system. 'This operation reflects the BMA's firm stance against corruption within its ranks. I applaud the executive members for leading from the front and taking decisive action to restore integrity at one of our busiest ports. 'We are resolute in disrupting illegal facilitation networks and holding every official accountable to the highest standards of conduct,' Thupana said. She added that the operation strengthened the BMA's resolve to roll out body-worn cameras across all ports of entry. During the Easter period, 40 body cameras were deployed across various sites, enhancing monitoring capabilities and supporting real-time accountability. 'The implementation of body cameras is not just about oversight: it's about protecting both the official and the public, and ensuring that every interaction at our ports is transparent, lawful and traceable,' she said. Beitbridge remains South Africa's busiest land border and a key commercial gateway into the African continent. With increased movements expected during the return leg of the Easter travel period, the BMA continued to intensify its operational presence at ports and along the borderline, with a strong focus on intercepting illegal movement and dismantling facilitation syndicates. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Zawya
11-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Digital business visa application system goes live
The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic) has launched the Business Visa Recommendation System (VRS), an online platform for business visa recommendation applications. The VRS is aimed at all foreign business owners applying for first, extension and/or permanent residence recommendation, in terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002. 'Business visa applicants will benefit from a more effective, transparent and user-friendly application process that goes live today,' the dtic said on Monday. According to the Acting Deputy Director-General of Investment and Spacial Industrial Development at the dtic, Yunus Hoosen, the main objective of the system is to enhance efficiency for business visa applicants, including faster processing, convenience and transparency. 'The VRS replaces the email application process with a digital platform, improving efficiency and accessibility for global investors looking to reside in South Africa for the purpose of establishing, expanding and/or investing in businesses. 'This initiative is part of... ongoing efforts to reduce red tape and simplify the ease of doing business in South Africa. 'From an administrative viewpoint, the VRS is a solution for collecting, managing, and reviewing applications online. In addition, it eliminates incomplete applications from being submitted, provides monitoring of applications received and finalised and provide investment-related information needed for reporting and planning, amongst others,' said Hoosen. The VRS is aligned with South Africa's broader e-governance initiatives, which seek to improve accessibility to government services through digital transformation. 'The VRS marks a significant milestone in modernising the country's investment facilitation framework, reinforcing South Africa's commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment,' said the dtic. Key features of the VRS - Online submission – Applicants can now submit business visa for first, extension and permanent recommendations applications digitally. - Document upload – Required supporting documents can be uploaded directly to the system. - Real-time tracking – Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications. - Automated notifications – Updates and final recommendations will be communicated through the system.
