The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Dalai Lama’s visit to South Africa is due to start in three days time. However, a statement released today by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) indicates that the department remains intent on playing a game of political “hot potato” with the Department of Home Affairs over the issue of who decides whether or not a visa will be granted to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Yesterday, I wrote to the Minister of Home Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urging her to act promptly regarding the Dalai Lama’s visa application. The contents of this letter follow below.

DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela’s today stated that the Dalai Lama’s visa application is a matter “undergoing normal processes” in the department. This misses the point.

This is not an official state visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader, and therefore does not require input from the Minister of International Relations. The Dalai Lama, a Nobel prize recipient, will be coming as an ordinary tourist to visit his friend Desmond Tutu, also a Nobel prize recipient, and be part of his birthday celebrations.

This is quite clearly a Home Affairs issue, not a matter for DIRCO.

The Home Affairs department should adjudicate the Dalai Lama’s visa application according to the same criteria that would be applied to any other foreign national visiting our shores. I trust that Minister Dlamini-Zuma will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves, and ensure that a visa is issued to the Dalai Lama in time for his visit. To do otherwise would be cause for national embarrassment.

1 October 2011
Dear Minister Dlamini-Zuma,

Re: Visa for Dalai Lama

It has come to my attention that the Department of Home Affairs has tried to pass the buck regarding its responsibility for deciding whether the Dalai Lama should be granted a visa to South Africa. On Thursday evening (29 September 2011), a Home Affairs spokesperson said on television that the Dalai Lama visa application is a foreign affairs issue.

But this surely cannot be the case. The Dalai Lama is not seeking to make an official state visit to South Africa, thus his application requires no input from the Minister of International Relations. The Dalai Lama will be coming as an ordinary tourist to visit his old friend Desmond Tutu for a birthday party.

This is clearly a Home Affairs issue, and the Department should treat his application like any other. Accordingly, the Dalai Lama should be granted a visa if he possesses:

• A valid passport or travel document good for a sufficient period to cover his intended stay.
• Sufficient funds.
• A return or onward ticket.
• At least two blank pages in his passport.
• Yellow fever certificates if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

Minister, I urge you to act promptly regarding the Dalai Lama's visa application. I would also like to ask you why this application has taken so long to process? For what reason was the Dalai Lama’s visa application referred to the Department of International Relations? How long it will take for the visa application to be processed?

This dithering over the Dalai Lama's visa application has embarrassed South Africa’s reputation. We should treat the Dalai Lama with the same respect afforded to all foreign nationals who visit our shores. I appreciate your prompt attention on this matter.

Yours sincerely,
Masizole Mnqasela MP
Democratic Alliance Shadow Deputy Minister of Home Affairs