strike
13 June 2007
The Department of Home Affairs is pleased to announce that immigration
services at all South African ports of entry are fully operational despite the
national strike today.
Home Affairs Director General Mavuso Msimang commended immigration officers
for the 100 percent turn out at ports of entry in compliance with a court order
declaring their work an essential service. "Our ports of entry are an essential
part of the country's security and therefore of all residents. Ensuring that
they are safeguarded at all times is an essential part of the service provided
by Home Affairs to the nation."
Meanwhile, today's industrial action has unfortunately impacted negatively
on the operational readiness of some Home Affairs offices across the country,
although all offices in the Western and Northern Cape were open. In Gauteng,
80% of offices were open, in the Free State 93% were open, in North West 62%,
in Eastern Cape 47%, and in Mpumalanga 43%. No accurate figures were obtainable
by lunchtime from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
Regional managers reported that many staff members had stayed away due to
intimidation. The Department of Home Affairs regrets the inconvenience caused
by the industrial action.
Mr Msimang repeated his call to Home Affairs clients only to visit offices
in urgent cases as long as the strike continues. "We are doing our level best
to serve those with very urgent needs, and if you are not among them, please be
patient and wait to visit Home Affairs until the strike is over," said the
Director-General.
Enquiries:
Jacky Mashapu
Acting Head of Communication
Cell: 082 885 8449
E-mail: Jacky.Mashapu@dha.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
13 June 2007
Source: Department of Home Affairs (http://www.dha.gov.za/)
