In response to media enquiries regarding the issuance of visas to the Ethiopian National Football Club, the Black Lions, the Department of Home Affairs wishes to put on record:
Following interaction between the Department of Home Affairs and South African Footbal Association (SAFA), the invitation letter to the Ethiopian Football Federation was issued on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 to enable the team to travel to South Africa today, Friday, 1 June 2012.
With regard to visa applications, which were originally submitted with incomplete information required for immigration purposes, our Diplomatic Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia assisted the team members to meet with the requirements, thus enabling the department to issue them with the necessary visas for travel to South Africa.
In this regard, the Department of Home Affairs stands ready to join the people of our country in welcoming the Ethiopian National team to South Africa this afternoon, ahead of their scheduled play against Bafana Bafana.
