Turnaround times: ID, Temporary- & Permanent Residence

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 1105 / NW1227E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 01 April 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2011
Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(1)        With reference to her Department’s 2011/12 to 2013/14 Strategic Plan, why has (a) the turnaround time for issuing permanent residents’ permits increased from 6 month in the 2009/10 financial year to 8 months in the 2010/11 financial year, (b) the turnaround time for issuing temporary residence permits increased from 4 weeks in the 2009/10 financial year to 16 weeks in the 2010/11 financial year and (c) the turnaround time for the second issuing of identity documents increased from 40 days in the 2009/10 financial year to 47 days in the 2010/11 financial year;



(2)        why does the Strategic Plan not indicate any improvement on the 2009/10 turnaround times referred to for the years 2011/12 to 2013/14?



NW1227E



REPLY:



(1)(a)&(b)           In November 2010 the Department undertook a process to completely transform, and stabilise the issuance of permits to foreign nationals. It must, however, be known that we have to take into account security, as well, and not, just, speed.



(1)(c)                 With respect to identity documents, relatively, small fluctuations in turnaround times are to be expected. This is, usually, due to short-term operational challenges, or the introduction of new processes, such as those aimed at strengthening security. The overall trend, regarding turnaround times, over the medium, has been upwards.



(2)                    The Department adjusted the turnaround times in the 2011/12 to 2013/14 Strategic Plan to 8 months for permanent residence permit applications, and 16 weeks for temporary residence permit applications, respectively, as a result of the new centralised adjudication process.



                        Similarly, the turnaround times of identity documents have, also, been adjusted in the Department’s 2011/12 to 2013/14 Strategic Plan, as a result of specialised operational procedures, and security enhanced processes. Therefore, it is due to the current procedures, and in the interest of ensuring maximum quality, and security enhancement.