The Department of Home Affairs welcomes the decision the Ugandan national Dr. Paul Semogoma to withdraw his application for asylum in South Africa which has now been made part of a court order handed down in the South Gauteng High Court today, Thursday 20 February 2014 in Johannesburg.

This follows a decision by the Minister of Home Affairs, Naledi Pandor to grant him an exceptional skills work permit in terms of Section 19 (4) of the Immigration Act of 2002.as part of the country’s determination to recruit skilled personnel to help contribute to the development of our economy.

The court hearing today follows an appeal lodged by the Department of Home Affairs against an interim order issued earlier in the week against the Minister and Director-General of Home Affairs after immigration officials at OR Tambo International Airport had refused him permission to enter South Africa on the basis of a lapsed visitor’s visa.

In this regard, the South Gauteng High court today also ordered as per agreement of the parties that:

Dr Semugoma withdraws all pending applications against the department

Each party will pay their own costs

Dr Semugoma shall forthwith be permitted entry into the Republic of South Africa

The department has never before denied Dr Semugoma the right to enter South Africa subject to full compliance with our country’s immigration laws as evidenced by the fact that he was previously issued with a multiple visitor’s visa entry.

The department will continue to ensure full compliance with provisions of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 as part of discharging its mandate of protecting the integrity and sovereignty of our country as is the practice internationally.