Only truth will set you free, minister Schreiber

HOME Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber set the bar high with his handling of the former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina saga, in particular the investigation into how her mother had obtained a South African citizenship. 

For years, South Africans longed to have a Home Affairs Department that was rock solid, with little to no room for malfeasance that could not only endanger individual citizens, but the security of the country as a whole. 

We longed to see our borders and ports of entry tightened to prevent criminals from exploiting the country. However, minister after minister, the ANC paid lip service to these basic yet very important demands.

Corruption became the order of the day at Home Affairs, with some officials abusing the position they were entrusted with to sell fake passports and IDs. 

The investigation into the Adetshina saga partly confirmed this; that a South African citizen’s identity may have been compromised, presumably with the help of a Home Affairs official. That probe also confirmed that indeed it was possible to rid that department of the rot that Home Affairs had been known for. 

The saga related to Adetshina perhaps came at the right time for Schreiber to prove that he was the man to change the state of affairs in that department.

The minister does, however, need to be reminded that his position in government requires him to be consistent. There can’t be rules for some and another set of rules for others.  

His continued refusal to disclose details around Cape Independence Advocacy Group leader Phil Craig’s immigration status could reverse whatever progress he has made in such a short space of time.  

Continuing to procrastinate with answers about Craig’s status could also fuel many perceptions, including that he is being shielded because of the colour of his skin, something Schreiber's party, the DA has often been accused of.  

If Craig is to be believed over his call for the Western Cape to be its own country, then it follows that questions about his status are promptly answered. Surely these should not be that difficult to answer if everything was above board.