Chairperson, hon members, according to the 2014/19 strategy plan of the department of home affairs, it is mandated to efficiently determine and safeguard the identity and status of citizens as well as to regulate immigration to ensure security, promote development and fulfil South Africa's international obligation.
The department has sadly failed to execute these mandates effectively. Take for example, the complaints of women who have discovered that there were married illegally and unknowingly to strangers they have never met. Some victims have been fighting with
home affairs for years to have their marital status corrected but the department has not helped them. Some are unable to get employment or open bank accounts because their proper marital status cannot be verified.
Chairperson if a South African woman discovers that she was fraudulently married to a stranger, what is preventing the department from tracing which officials were involved in facilitating this deceit? Surely the department should have a team that properly investigates these cases of fraud. Those on duty should face the full might of the law. It is unacceptable that women should be trapped in a fraudulently marriage sometimes for years without assistance from the department.
The story that the hon Minister told this afternoon about Thamil Swaartbos, is a classic proof that if home affairs officials are willing they can assist women who are trapped in such relationships. We heard that Thamil was assisted within 48 hours after suffering the horror and humiliation and harassment for fourteen years. Now the question is why can't this be done for all women who are in a similar situation?
They are hundreds if not thousands of women who are still experiencing similar abuse and harassment. Secondly the movement control systems also leave much to be desired as our borders remain porous. Many illegal immigrants who get involved in criminal activities remain untraceable by investigators because their finger prints are not on record. This leaves the police with cases they are unable to complete as they cannot trace these criminals and punish them for their crimes.
So want to as ACDP to call on the Minister to ensure that our borders are tightened, they are tight controls at our borders so that all guests and visitors to our beautiful country are properly documented and if those among them will commit crimes, so that it may be easy for our police to hunt them. Thank you.