Wyndham Hartley
7 March 2008
Cape Town — The government has convinced the British government that there is no need to remove South Africans' free visa status for visits to the UK.
This emerged at yesterday's post-cabinet briefing, when chief government spokesman Themba Maseko said there had never been a British decision to introduce visa requirements for South African travellers.
He said the cabinet was briefed about the discussions with the British government, which "was considering" introducing visas for South African travellers to the UK.
"We would like to clarify that there is no decision by the British government, at this stage, to introduce visa requirements for SA travellers," said Maseko.
"We'd also like to reassure South Africans that everything is being done to address the British government's concerns about the security of South African passports, which are among the safest and most secure in the world.
"That's why they are being targeted by the criminals."
The government promised to continue introduc ing additional security measures to ensure South Africans were not inconvenienced during their travels.
British high commission spokesman Russ Dixon said the integrity of SA's passports was not the issue, but there were people in possession of these passports who were not entitled to have them.
"There are ongoing discussions with the South African government, and the ball is now in its court," Dixon said.
Maseko, in response to a question about the theft of genuine passports by officials from the home affairs department, said the new director-general, Mavuso Msimang, had a comprehensive plan to improve security and combat corruption.
In a wide-ranging meeting, the cabinet also approved the establishing of a new government department for traditional leadership.
Construction of the new department would begin in 2009- 10, with expectations that it would be operational after a year (2010- 11).
Maseko said the department would report to the provincial and local government minister .
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