We have 10 369 personnel servicing 52 million South Africans, as well as those who cross our borders. We applaud their sterling work. I am going to outline what the staff in this department do.
Firstly, 20% of the staff complement are responsible for administration. They are responsible for providing leadership, management and support services to the department.
Secondly, 48% of the staff complement are responsible for citizens' affairs. They secure efficient and accessible services for citizens and lawful residents.
Finally, 39% of the personnel are responsible for immigration affairs. Their responsibilities are to facilitate and regulate the movement of people through 72 ports of entry into the Republic of South Africa, to determine the status of asylum seekers, and to regulate related affairs. Presently there are 354, or 3%, funded vacant posts. The vacant posts emanate from natural attrition, and we believe that measures will be put in place to promote staff retention. The department does not employ contract workers, which needs to be applauded - they believe in employing personnel permanently.
I am of the view that Home Affairs personnel who are performing above the expected norm must be rewarded.
There are vacant posts for audit services, countercorruption, immigration services, the chief financial officer, provincial managers, and the chief internal audit executive. We have said that these posts must be filled with immediate effect.
I spoke about rewarding the best performing employees. I now want to congratulate the Springbok office in the Northern Cape, which won the "Most improved" category. This office is situated in a remote rural area of the Northern Cape and it serves mainly rural communities. I want to say, "Well done!" because these staff members ... [Applause.] ... are performing beyond the call of duty in servicing our communities. [Interjections.] In conclusion, I want to make a clarion call to our communities out there to partner with this home called Home Affairs, in order to make South Africa safe to live in.
Gaabo motho go thebe phatshwa. [Home is where the heart is.]
Action must be taken to stop unscrupulous tendencies, to educate, to inform and to stop corruption at all costs. Yesterday, when I was reading the Sowetan, I saw that the following was printed in bold: "Con woman on the prowl - immigrants made to buy fake permits". The question is: Why go and buy things on street corners and not go to the offices of Home Affairs? That is not an employee of Home Affairs.
I am calling on you who are seated up in the gallery: We must be patriotic and proudly South African. We are not going to allow short cuts, as some of our hon members are requesting. Please give our Minister the time to build this home called South Africa.
Minister, Deputy Minister and Director-General, don't give up now! We have come too far from where we started. [Applause.] Nobody told us that the road would be easy. We don't believe that God has brought us this far to leave us now. We are marching forward, taking South Africa forward. I thank you. [Applause.]