Home Minister Says eVisa Is Being 'Abused' After 67 Pakistani Nationals Stopped At Airport

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said South Africa's eVisa system was being "abused," after 67 Pakistani nationals were intercepted at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.

The Pakistani nationals landed at the airport over the weekend without following immigration laws, and were denied entry to the country after they failed the immigration test.

The immigration test consisted of several questions, including how long their visa allows them to stay in South Africa. The Pakistani nationals had reached South Africa in a flight of 268 passengers that departed from Dubai, UAE.

"This is a result of a sting operation that was put together after observing certain trends that were suspicious and did not make sense," Motsoaledi said on Sunday, SA News reported.

The home affairs minister added these people were interviewed by the immigration officers and questioned about where they will be going, what's the purpose of their visit, and where they will be staying in South Africa.

"They provided conflicting evidence like giving names of non-existent hotels, names of alleged relatives, some of whom did not even exist," Motsoaledi said. "Essentially, these people wanted to come to South Africa but were unable to explain where they were going and for what reason. There is no other way. They have to return to their home country. We can't allow such people to enter the country."

Motsoaledi said ahead of this sting operation, they had received complaints from many hotels that a number of Pakistanis were booking accommodation online, and then never showing up.

"We are extremely worried by this new trend and we have noticed that the newly acquired e-Visa system, which is meant to facilitate easier entry into the country by tourists, is being seriously abused by some nationals," he concluded. "We will never allow this."

The 67 Pakistani nationals were sent to their home country, following the rejection of their visas.

The successful sting operation was led by the Department of Home Affairs Counter Corruption Branch, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the State Security Agency, and the Border Management Authority.

Pakistan is going through a complex set of socio-economic challenges, which has increased poverty in the country.