Public Protector must probe VFS tender

29 June 2014

The DA will write to the Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela, to request an investigation into an estimated R 1 billion VISA facilitation tender awarded to VFS Visa Processing SA (Pty) Ltd and determine whether or not this tender was awarded unlawfully.

This comes after allegations surfaced that the proper processes may not have been followed in awarding a tender for the facilitation of Visa's.

It is also alleged that there is no provision in the legislation for the outsourcing of government services and that the tender was "tailored" to suit VFS whose main headquarters is in India.

The DA is also concerned that a staff member left the department of Home Affairs to work for the company that appears to have improperly benefited from the tender.

The timing surrounding the introduction of new visa regulations and the awarding of the tender to VFS also seems very convenient. This new information raises questions about Minister Gigaba's claims that these regulations are in the "interest of security".

Contrary to the intention to protect the South African job market, the awarding of this tender to VFS will have the opposite effect and thousands of employees of private visa facilitation companies - who assist foreigners to obtain business, student, tourist and other permits to enter the country -

are likely to lose their jobs.

It is ironic that this tender was awarded to an international company whilst the new visa regulations were intended to protect the South African economy and job market. 

Statement issued by Haniff Hoosen MP, DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, June 29 2014

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