SA recalls Dubai envoy over alleged visa scam
The department said it acted on information from whistleblowers who pointed to security breaches and misconduct.
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CAPE TOWN - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed the recall of its Consul General in Dubai, Andrew Lebona, over an alleged visa scam.
The department said it acted on information from whistleblowers who pointed to security breaches and misconduct.
On Sunday, the Sunday Times blew the lid on an alleged elaborate plot to obtain visas from the Dubai Embassy.
It came in the same week in which the Home Affairs minister revealed to Parliament how processes were not followed at the foreign mission in Tunisia, where 100 Libyan nationals were granted study visas to undergo military training in South Africa.
The collaboration between the Home Affairs Department and the DIRCO is firmly in the spotlight in attempts to clamp down on visa fraud.
READ: 95 Libyans who came to train at Mpumalanga military camp got visas in 3 days - Home Affairs DG
The Sunday Times revealed a plot that included orchestrated break-ins at the Dubai foreign mission to obtain visas to enter South Africa.
On Monday, DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri confirmed the claims are being probed.
"We have asked Mr Lebone to come back to answer questions pertaining to the preliminary findings of our investigation in the United Arab Emirates Dubai consulate which is still ongoing," said Phiri.
Last week, the Home Affairs Department told Parliament it had trained DIRCO officials to assist in the issuing of visas at foreign missions because it doesn’t have enough staff to deploy to all the embassies.
A delegation of officials from both departments is also expected to travel to Tunisia soon, to inspect the documents and processes followed by another DIRCO official in unilaterally granting study visas to Libyan nationals in just three days, without them presenting all the required information nor presenting themselves in person.