For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: Minister says South Africa introducing visa reforms to boost economy; EFF wants action taken against those involved in Thabo Bester escape; And, govt urges UN to address spiralling conflict in Middle East

Minister says South Africa introducing visa reforms to boost economy

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has said that South Africa is introducing reforms to its strict visa regime to bring in more skilled workers and tourists, signalling a shift away from past immigration policies that critics have labelled xenophobic.

The immediate changes will include a new points-based system for work visas that makes eligibility automatic if you have certain qualifications, and the launch of a remote work visa, both of which Schreiber said should be finalised in "a matter of days".

He said visa reform to attract tourists, to attract capital, to attract skills are some of the most powerful things that can be done in the short term to kickstart economic growth.

As it stands, foreigners with job offers in South Africa can wait months or years for a visa and are sometimes denied for unexplained reasons.

Western tourists usually obtain visas easily on arrival but visitors from China and India, both potentially lucrative markets, have to submit off-putting paperwork.

EFF wants action taken against those involved in Thabo Bester escape

The Economic Freedom Fighters said it wants immediate and decisive action against those responsible for the prison escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, and wants the Ministry of Correctional Services to once again account on this matter.

The party will make its request through Parliament’s Portfolio Committees on Police and Correctional Services.

The EFF wants criminal charges to be pursued against any correctional services staff involved, and also wants private security company G4S to reappear in front of the committees, as the party believes that it played a role in facilitating the escape.

The EFF said it was not surprised by the revelations uncovered in the recent Public Protector's report, which it said confirmed what the party has long believed: “…that private prisons have devolved into criminal syndicates where corruption, negligence, and even organised violence thrive.”

The party pointed out that the Public Protector’s report exposed the so-called “utter failure” of controller of the G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre Chris Mahonono and Roseline Phahlane, who oversaw contracts at the facility.

And, govt urges UN to address spiralling conflict in Middle East

Government has expressed concern at the continued escalation of military action by Israel against Palestine and Lebanon and wants the international community to address what it described as a spiralling conflict.

International Relations and Cooperation Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said as long as there was impunity for unlawful acts, war and injustice would continue.

Phiri said government noted with “dismay” that UN secretary general António Guterres had been declared persona non grata by Israel.

South Africa wants the international community to uphold International Law, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law and the principles of the United Nations Charter to maintain international peace and security.

Phiri said the continued occupation of Palestine, which he said had denied the Palestinian people their enshrined rights of self-determination and statehood, remained a “prerequisite to restoring peace and security” in the region.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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