Home Affairs minister permits SA workers to return to foreign jobs

PARLIAMENT’S portfolio committee on home affairs has endorsed the decision by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to grant South Africans doing essential work in other countries permission to travel to those countries without any delays.

Portfolio committee on home affairs chairperson advocate Bongani

Bongo said his committee welcomed the announcement by Motsoaledi that approval had been given to the essential workers.

“During a committee meeting on May 8, the minister said the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) was considering the matter and would decide soon. We are therefore grateful that the minister allowed specific South Africans to travel.

“We welcome it, especially in the context of the need to protect people’s livelihoods,” Bongo said.

South Africans who wish to leave the Republic are permitted to depart only for the following reasons: to work; study; for family reunions; to take up permanent residency and to receive medical attention.

Prior to his announcement, Motsoaledi revealed that the Department of International Relations and Co-operation and the NCCC had approved essential travel for South Africans who wanted to return to countries where they were based.

Travel between countries is allowed in special circumstances. The department said those wishing to return to countries where they reside must have:

(a) A copy of their valid South African passport.

(b) A letter confirming their admissibility under the current circumstances, from the embassy or other diplomatic/consular representative of the country they want to travel to. If returning by road or connecting via flights, proof needs to include permission from each transiting country.

(c) Proof of means of travel, such as air or bus tickets, and the intended date of departure.

South Africans who fall in these categories and satisfy the criteria can send an email to Covid19travel@dha. gov.za