‘Arrest me but don’t punish the people’
THE UNITED Kingdom Border Agency is moving to an online payment as well as application process where almost all customers will apply and pay for their visas online by 2013/14.
This change will affect applicants in SA from January 16, which will mean all applications for a UK visa made in SA must be completed fully and the relevant visa fee paid via the online application system – using either a Mastercard or Visa credit/debit card – before the applicant can go to one of the visa application centres to submit a printed copy of the application form and biometric data (fingerprints and photograph).
In addition, the appointment to submit an application at the visa application centre must be booked online. This should be done at the same time as completing the online application form.
Initially, it will be possible to pay the relevant visa fee only in rand.
According to the British High Commission, this move will deliver a more streamlined application process and is consistent with the global trend to online transactions and payments.
“It will also be a safer system for both customers and staff as it reduces the risk associated with handling large amounts of cash during the visa application process,” said the high commission.
For visa enquiries in SA contact 0861 837 221. LIMPOPO Premier Cassel Mathale has dared the authorities to arrest him if he is suspected of wrongdoing, but cautioned President Jacob Zuma’s government not to punish the people of the province.
Speaking during a matric results ceremony in Polokwane yesterday, Mathale referred to the national government as “big brother” who had decided to comanage the province. The decision to place Limpopo under national administration was taken after the province requested a R1 billion bailout in order to pay civil servants’ salaries.
But yesterday Mathale blasted the government for “punishing” the people of Limpopo by not paying service providers last month.
Mathale did not specify which service providers had not been paid or what services had been affected.
The cabinet last month stripped the province’s MECS, chief financial officers and heads of five provincial departments of their executive powers and placed the departments under national administration. But now hundreds of service providers in Limpopo have not been paid for December, and the premier blames Pretoria.
Thousands of pupils may not receive their daily meals when schools reopen because service providers will probably cut their supply.
Mathale denied that the province was bankrupt. “Even if you don’t like Mathale, don’t punish the province. Deal with Mathale, and if there is a need to arrest Mathale, arrest him rather than punishing the people of the province.”
He said families of workers who relied on service providers had a “black” Christmas because of the non-payment.
“They (cabinet) made a commitment (in December) that we will sign a memorandum of understanding on what we will do and what we will not do. Until today there is no memorandum. It’s unacceptable,” said Mathale. He vowed to raise the grievances with the cabinet.