Mbalula clarifies visa requirements for Nigerians

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the government will ensure that anyone who disregards the country's immigration laws will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Mbalula was responding to claims that the government’s new visa agreement with Nigeria allows prospective travellers to enter South Africa without a passport.

He clarified that the agreement has no provisions for travel without a passport but makes applying for a visa easier.

President Cyril Ramaphosa faced criticism for signing a new agreement with Nigeria that simplifies the visa application process for travel to South Africa.

Under the new agreement, prospective travellers from Nigeria will only need to submit a copy of their passport when applying for a visa, with the original passport only required after the visa is granted.

Mbalula emphasised that travellers should not assume this agreement allows them to travel between the two countries without a passport.

"Our patience has been overstretched. South Africa's hospitality must never be mistaken for weakness. Our communities cannot be living in fear, the law must be enforced now."

He reassured South Africans that the government would never take any actions that could undermine the country’s immigration laws.