Amazing how you get shagged in the press when doing your work correctly !
GunsssR4ever
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Amazing how you get shagged in the press when doing your work correctly !
Poor oke's ... just doing there work and not taking a bribe like the rest of Africa does ... 
Imagine arriving at LGW or LHR as a Saffer without a return ticket / place of residence / money or damn good excuses.... Return to SA on the first flight !!!
I will never forget how 30 plus Saffers (including MD's of companies) was send back to SA when they went to the UK to see a test match.
Reason : Their accomodation was not confirmed or something crazy like that.
Send them home if they are not correctly documented (I would)
It is International Standards to have at least two pages open ... A return ticket ... and and and ...
Imagine arriving at LGW or LHR as a Saffer without a return ticket / place of residence / money or damn good excuses.... Return to SA on the first flight !!!
I will never forget how 30 plus Saffers (including MD's of companies) was send back to SA when they went to the UK to see a test match.
Reason : Their accomodation was not confirmed or something crazy like that.
Send them home if they are not correctly documented (I would)
It is International Standards to have at least two pages open ... A return ticket ... and and and ...
The hard-nosed attitude of immigration officials at Cape Town International Airport, who summarily booted out three foreign visitors because they did not comply with minor passport requirements, could cost South African tourism dearly, industry spokespeople say.
The local industry fears the hardline approach of officials could give South Africa and Cape Town in particular a bad reputation overseas and people may think twice about coming to this country.
In the past month alone immigration officials at Cape Town International have turned back three visitors over petty passport regulations.
An irate Hayes said this was his 75th visit
This week, American tourist Andrew Barker was refused entry because he didn't have enough space in his passport to take home affairs stamps. The same thing happened to Irish and American visitors earlier this month.
And Andrew Hayes, a British businessman and frequent visitor to the city, was detained for two hours and almost put on a plane back to Frankfurt because he was not in procession of a return ticket. But his lawyers managed to persuade officials to let him stay.
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An irate Hayes said this was his 75th visit to South Africa and the first time he had been detained for not having a return ticket. He was put in a holding cell for close to two hours and told that he would be sent back to where he came from.
He tried to explain that he would be buying his ticket for his next destination while in the country as he usually had for the past 20 years, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. His lawyer finally convinced officials to let him stay.
But Barker was not so lucky. He failed to comply with an obscure piece of legislation that requires at least two empty pages in the passports of foreigners visiting South Africa.
'We are not being unreasonable'
Barker flew into Cape Town on Thursday at 6.15am only to be prevented from entering the country and forced to return to the aircraft from which he'd just disembarked.
On Saturday, Barker told Weekend Argus about his frustrating ordeal and that finally, after flying back and forth, he made it into the city to make the most of what was left of his holiday.
He said he had planned a four-day golf holiday with friends in Cape Town. He works in Dubai and took an eight-hour flight to London and a 12-hour flight to Cape Town. But two two hours after he landed he was back on the same plane to London.
"The official took a quick scan through my passport. He then told me he couldn't let me through because I did not have enough blank pages."
In London, with the help of the airline staff, his passport was sorted out within three hours.
He said the airline, British Airways, took full responsibility for what had happened and offered to reimburse him. "The captain of the plane told me they had been fined $5 000 (about R30 000)."
Chris Von Ulmenstein, a former member of the Cape Town Tourism Board, said the attitude and actions of home affairs airport officials was bad for tourism.
"Steps need to be taken by the authorities. There should be more awareness created informing foreign travellers about the requirements."
Mike Ramagoma, a spokesperson for the department of home affairs, said all foreigners entering the country should have at least two blank pages that could be stamped upon entry and exit.
"We are not being unreasonable. It is expected of everybody, even in other countries."
(I AGREE for a Change Mr Ramagomgat 
The local industry fears the hardline approach of officials could give South Africa and Cape Town in particular a bad reputation overseas and people may think twice about coming to this country.
In the past month alone immigration officials at Cape Town International have turned back three visitors over petty passport regulations.
An irate Hayes said this was his 75th visit
This week, American tourist Andrew Barker was refused entry because he didn't have enough space in his passport to take home affairs stamps. The same thing happened to Irish and American visitors earlier this month.
And Andrew Hayes, a British businessman and frequent visitor to the city, was detained for two hours and almost put on a plane back to Frankfurt because he was not in procession of a return ticket. But his lawyers managed to persuade officials to let him stay.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An irate Hayes said this was his 75th visit to South Africa and the first time he had been detained for not having a return ticket. He was put in a holding cell for close to two hours and told that he would be sent back to where he came from.
He tried to explain that he would be buying his ticket for his next destination while in the country as he usually had for the past 20 years, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. His lawyer finally convinced officials to let him stay.
But Barker was not so lucky. He failed to comply with an obscure piece of legislation that requires at least two empty pages in the passports of foreigners visiting South Africa.
'We are not being unreasonable'
Barker flew into Cape Town on Thursday at 6.15am only to be prevented from entering the country and forced to return to the aircraft from which he'd just disembarked.
On Saturday, Barker told Weekend Argus about his frustrating ordeal and that finally, after flying back and forth, he made it into the city to make the most of what was left of his holiday.
He said he had planned a four-day golf holiday with friends in Cape Town. He works in Dubai and took an eight-hour flight to London and a 12-hour flight to Cape Town. But two two hours after he landed he was back on the same plane to London.
"The official took a quick scan through my passport. He then told me he couldn't let me through because I did not have enough blank pages."
In London, with the help of the airline staff, his passport was sorted out within three hours.
He said the airline, British Airways, took full responsibility for what had happened and offered to reimburse him. "The captain of the plane told me they had been fined $5 000 (about R30 000)."
Chris Von Ulmenstein, a former member of the Cape Town Tourism Board, said the attitude and actions of home affairs airport officials was bad for tourism.
"Steps need to be taken by the authorities. There should be more awareness created informing foreign travellers about the requirements."
Mike Ramagoma, a spokesperson for the department of home affairs, said all foreigners entering the country should have at least two blank pages that could be stamped upon entry and exit.
"We are not being unreasonable. It is expected of everybody, even in other countries."
(I AGREE for a Change Mr Ramagomgat
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And who fills up all those pages so there are none left? SA Immigration with all those sticky inserts and, although I have asked, they will not stick one on top of an old one, however I have been able to get them give me one that last a few months so that I don’t have to have a new one every time I enter.
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...Or find a blank spot for the stamp on a page that has a few spaces, instead of putting it in the centre of a new page.
...And hand the passport back instead of throwing it and don't sit there gnawing their cud with their mouths open, and greet the person presenting the passport instead of ignoring them while carrying on a conversation with a friend,.....and.....and.....and.........
Have to accept what happened as that is what the legislation requires but a bit of personal initiative could have been used.
...And hand the passport back instead of throwing it and don't sit there gnawing their cud with their mouths open, and greet the person presenting the passport instead of ignoring them while carrying on a conversation with a friend,.....and.....and.....and.........
Have to accept what happened as that is what the legislation requires but a bit of personal initiative could have been used.
GunsssR4ever
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Just remember they are not the only one's ... I am in the UK on average once a month.
Imagine how that "LEAVE TO ENTER FOR SIX MONTHS: EMPLOYMENT AND RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS PROHIBITED" UK entry stamp fills my passport.
Why not give me one every six months ?
PS: Just had a look - they stamp max 4 per page
Yes and I went through 2 passports last year ... at R300 odd bucks per passport ...
Imagine how that "LEAVE TO ENTER FOR SIX MONTHS: EMPLOYMENT AND RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS PROHIBITED" UK entry stamp fills my passport.
Why not give me one every six months ?
PS: Just had a look - they stamp max 4 per page
Yes and I went through 2 passports last year ... at R300 odd bucks per passport ...
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It is a good warning. Just something else to be looking out for. Things change and now we know that one of them is the amount of pages left in the passport....For those of us who travel a lot, its incentive to make sure we dont fall into the same trap.
I go in and out of the US sometimes three times a day so I do get a bunch of stamps. Thankfully in the US now they just run it through a scanner. It would be nice to see other countries follow suit...and the technology is out there.
P.S. I also like it when folks tell me. "'Do you know who I am?" I usually say why yes I do, now try and convince the Immigration Official as he will be pleased to know who you are....
I go in and out of the US sometimes three times a day so I do get a bunch of stamps. Thankfully in the US now they just run it through a scanner. It would be nice to see other countries follow suit...and the technology is out there.
P.S. I also like it when folks tell me. "'Do you know who I am?" I usually say why yes I do, now try and convince the Immigration Official as he will be pleased to know who you are....
Last edited by B Sousa; 30th Jan 2005 at 12:34.
GunsssR4ever
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Bert, as it my job .. all I can tell passengers when I deny them is to tell them " You spend $1 plus on your ticket alone and you can not make sure you fulfil the entry requirements ? " - never mind check the serviceability status of your passport 
Amazes me how many arrives with an expired passport ... kids wants to fly with mom and dad and no passport ... and and and .. do not let me bore you with forgeries / impotors / photo replacements and the likes
Well done to these guys as they are doing there job ...
The UK and USA sends "numerous" Saffers back every day (and they are entitled to)
PS: "Numerous" = a lot but figure unknown
Amazes me how many arrives with an expired passport ... kids wants to fly with mom and dad and no passport ... and and and .. do not let me bore you with forgeries / impotors / photo replacements and the likes
Well done to these guys as they are doing there job ...
The UK and USA sends "numerous" Saffers back every day (and they are entitled to)
PS: "Numerous" = a lot but figure unknown
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Making Space
Probably not legal according to some other obscure legislation, but I have recently resorted to using a kettle and steaming out some of the old stick on visa's, especially the Mozambique ones to make space.
And yes, I have applied for a new "Jumbo" passport ay additional cost about six weeks ago. Have given up holding my breath
And yes, I have applied for a new "Jumbo" passport ay additional cost about six weeks ago. Have given up holding my breath
GunsssR4ever
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Uhmm Tokkolosie it is a tad illegal mate. You are not allowed to tamper with a passport of any sorts except sign if you need to (some passports) and write down your spouse details like in a SA passport.
I applied for ther thick one on the Cape. (was about 300 bokke)
Arrived in the POST exactly 3 weeks later
Uhmm yes I was a bit gobsmacked
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"The official took a quick scan through my passport. He then told me he couldn't let me through because I did not have enough blank pages."
And yet the requirements state.... Your original passport, valid for long enough to cover the period of your stay and with at least one free page.
So its easy, if the guy had a full passport, then its his fault... however if not...................
And yet the requirements state.... Your original passport, valid for long enough to cover the period of your stay and with at least one free page.
So its easy, if the guy had a full passport, then its his fault... however if not...................
