There has been an "overwhelming response" to the government's foreign exchange amnesty since it became effective this month, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said yesterday.

"As of this morning, the website has had 5 272 hits from different individuals; we are expecting a flood of applications in the course of the amnesty period," he said, opening debate on his budget vote in the National Assembly.

Manuel said the first application for amnesty was faxed to the new unit yesterday morning after it opened its doors.

The amnesty unit, made up of representatives from SA Revenue Services and the SA Reserve Bank, was formed on June 1 to process applications from South Africans who illegally stashed money offshore.

The amnesty will allow individuals, closed corporations and trusts, to apply - until November 30 this year - to return the funds home, free from civil and criminal prosecution.

Manuel said the decision to proclaim the amnesty had clearly been correct, and Treasury would inform Parliament of the successes of the unit from time to time. – Sapa.