A new legal framework is being touted to maximise the potential of the township economy.Minister of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Velenkosini Hlabisa last week gazetted a draft by-law aligned with the Municipal Systems Act of 2000.Informal traders in economically underdeveloped areas have been central to the debate around food poisoning which has claimed the lives of at least 20 children in the last few months.Focus on foreign ownership Cogtas draft is aimed at transforming townships into vibrant economic hubs through a plan to harmonise township business ecosystems.The by-law has a heavy focus on foreign ownership, allowing the government to set quotas for the number of South African-owned businesses and staff employed by foreigners. The draft clearly defines a foreigner as, an individual who is neither a South African citizen, nor a permanent resident, but is not an illegal foreigner in terms of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.Fixing the number of businesses within a specific category that may be owned and operated by foreigners will also be permissible.In determining the quotas a municipality must ensure, amongst others, that a proportion of the total staff employed in the business are South African citizens or permanent residents in line with all relevant legislation, clause 3.3 of the draft states.Limited to township environment The gazetted draft places an emphasis on municipalities developing spatial and economic objectives for townships.Townships, as per the draft, are defined as, residential townships where only the most basic amenities and infrastructure are provided which were

initially established during the colonial and apartheid eras.In doing so, the draft compels municipalities to establish a task team whose specific role is addressing the trade of illegal goods and services.Other steps encouraged by the draft include facilitating skills development and providing improved access to infrastructure and markets for township businesses.To do this, the draft states that entrepreneurs and businesses should be empowered through a multitude of training, mentoring, compliance and awareness workshops.Prohibitions and restrictions A host of by-laws already exist, such as those in Johannesburg which cover 25 aspects of public life and business operations.Cogtas draft prohibits the already banned trading in a garden, park, on a sidewalk or in a place obstructing traffic, unless holding a licence stating otherwise. Under prohibitions and restrictions, Clause 9.F states that traders will not be able to conduct business adjacent to a building selling goods of the same or similar nature.Additionally, business owners must keep identification records of suppliers and traders will not be allowed to sleep overnight in their shops, unless the property is zoned for residential use.Those found in violation of the draft by-laws will receive a written warning with a date by which to remedy the infractions. A second transgression will see the traders licence immediately cancelled. The trader may appeal the notice but after a failed appeal, they will be barred from reapplying for five years. V.5697

For the past three years, an 11-year-old girl from Mpumalanga has lived apart from her mother and siblings, longing for a reunion that seemed just out of reach.Since her mother accepted a diplomatic role in Mauritius when she was nine, the child has been under the care of her paternal grandparents in Mohlaletse village near Grobersdal in Limpopo, waiting for the day she could join her family.Now, after an emotionally charged legal battle, the Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela recently ruled in favour of reuniting the child with her mother and siblings.This decision grants her the chance to finally leave South Africa and start a new life with her family in Mauritius. And it promises stability, familial love, and the academic opportunities she has missed. V.5695
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Authorities clamp down on labour law violations in KZN, arresting foreign nationals during freight and logistics sector inspections.Weeks after inspections at restaurants across the country revealed 1,941 foreign national employees and the arrest of 81, officials in KwaZulu-Natal have nabbed seven foreign nationals in the transport industry.The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), alongside eThekwini Metro Police, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and Saps on Thursday conducted a two-hour joint inspection operation of road, freight, and logistics sector on the M7 freeway in Clairwood.According to departmental spokesperson Teboho Thejane, the seven were arrested during the inspection. Two of the arrested were found to have had previous warrants issued against them and five were working in the country illegally. V.5698
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Botswana`s new president intends to legalize undocumented Zimbabwean migrants, saying migrants `perform jobs that otherwise not get done`.Newly inaugurated President Boko made the remarks after winning the country`s historic election last week, which unseated the party governing Botswana since 1966. Boko said he wants undocumented Zimbabweans to be legalized by granting them temporary work and residence permits, reported BBC.Since Zimbabwe`s economy collapsed due to hyperinflation two decades ago, thousands of Zimbabweans are moving back and forth to Botswana, with some seeking political refuge. According to statistics, Zimbabweans make up 98% of `irregular migrants`. V.5699
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The Canadian government has ended the expedited study permit processing routes Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) stream. This will affect study permit decision wait times for prospective students from 15 countries. All international students must now apply for study permits through the regular processing streamCanada began to offer fast-tracked study permit processing to international students from select countries in 2018 with the launch of the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Over time, the SDS expanded to include more countries in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and a separate Nigeria Student Express stream (NSE) was launched in 2020.But Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now closing the SDS and NSE streams and will require all international students to apply though the regular study permit process, as per an official announcement from 8 November 2024: V.5700
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South Africas Home Affairs and Employment and Labour departments have high-risk employment sectors in their sights and could soon crack down on illegal workers in the on-demand delivery space.This could pose a significant challenge for on-demand and fast food delivery services like Bolt, Checkers Sixty60, Pick n Pay asap!, and Uber Eats.While these companies vet and check driver identity documents as part of their signup processes, Home Affairs appears to have a significant fraud problem, and many of the asylum documents or work permits held by drivers may be fraudulent.Minister of Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhozana Meth, in response to recent parliamentary questions, said her department plans to target high-risk sectors.In partnership with law enforcement, the Departments of Home Affairs and Employment and Employment and Labour have been conducting raids at restaurants nationwide to identify and remove illegally employed foreigners. V.5694
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Diaspora remittances by Kenyans living and working in South Africa have posted a recovery after years of subdued performance in the post-pandemic period largely on difficulties in getting work permits for skilled workers despite a visa-free deal between the two countries.Yes, the amount of money sent home by Kenyans in South Africa has increased despite difficulties with work permits: Remittances are up V.5692
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The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Counter Corruption and Security Services branch has busted various individuals, including the kingpin of a syndicate that helped businesses bring in illegal foreign nationals on forged documents.Thirty-four individuals have been dismissed from the department, of which 13 have been sentenced. Depending on their level of involvement, those convicted face jail time ranging from four to 26 years.This was revealed in the DHA Counter Corruption and Security Services branchs presentation to the Portfolio Committee of Home Affairs on Tuesday, 29 October 2024.The branch said it employed a multi-disciplinary approach to catch those involved in the syndicate after a whistle-blower informed it about foreign nationals getting South African passports through photo swap fraud. V.5693
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The Department of Home Affairs proposed premium service would not be about fast-tracking document applications, but about offering delivery options, home affairs minister Leon Schreibers spokesperson has said.Schreibers spokesperson, Duwayne Esau, was responding to a MyBroadband report based on statements made by a home affairs official in parliament last week.The deputy director-general for civic services, Thomas Sigama, told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs about the idea.“We are looking at the possibility of a so-called ‘premium service’ wherein… you will get your documents in a very short space of time,” Sigama said. V.5696
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Germany and Somalia reached an agreement to deport undocumented Somali nationals from Germany.The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said migrants without the right to stay in Germany would be repatriated quickly and effectively.At present, 65,000 Somalis live in Germany.The leaders of Germany and Somalia have agreed to step up the repatriation of undocumented Somalis in Germany. V.5690
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Only an immigration officer may arrest a person deemed an illegal foreignerThe process of deporting illegal foreigners in South Africa is governed by the Immigration Act which empowers the home affairs department to arrest, detain and deport people who are not entitled to stay in the country. Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber, in a reply to a parliamentary question, said the department spent close to R53m between April and August to deport 19,750 illegal foreigners.The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, a nonprofit organisation which helps migrant communities and displaced people, details the process which must take place after someone has been found to be illegally in the country. V.5691
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