Pressure is mounting for the Department of Home Affairs, under Minister Leon Schreiber, to declare US singer Chris Brown an “undesirable” person and revoke his visa.
The 35-year-old – who has a long history of domestic violence – is set to perform on 14 and 15 December, just days after SA wraps up its annual 16 Days of Activism GBV campaign.
A petition organised by GBV activists Women For Change has received over 45 000 signatures in their bid to cancel the artist’s shows. The GOOD Party is also calling on authorities to take action against the performer.
Meanwhile, Investigation Discovery is set to air a documentary this weekend about the singer’s “history of abuse,” particularly against women.
HOME AFFAIRS UNDER PRESSURE TO REVOKE CHRIS BROWN’S VISA
The Minister of Home Affairs has been asked to declare Chris Brown an “undesirable person” under the Immigration Act and ban him from entering the country.
The request was made in a letter written this week by GOOD Party Secretary-General Brett Herron.
Part of it reads: “It is inconceivable that a convicted perpetrator of a violent assault on a woman is given a star’s platform in a country struggling to eradicate the types of violence he has committed.
“Our government must walk its talk about its serious commitment to eradicating gender-based violence.”
@womenforchangesa
Under the Immigrant Act, the Director-General may declare individuals “undesirable” and thus deny them a visa to gain entry or a permanent residence permit.
This may include:
- Anyone who is or is likely to become a public charge;
- Anyone identified as such by the Minister [Leon Schreiber];
- Persons who have been judicially declared incompetent;
- An unrehabilitated insolvent;
- Anyone who has been ordered to depart in terms of this Act;
- Anyone who is a fugitive from justice;
- Persons with previous criminal convictions without the option of a fine for conduct which would be an offence in the Republic, with the exclusion of certain prescribed offences, and
- Any person who has overstayed the prescribed number of times.
The South African has repeatedly contacted Chris Brown show promoters Big Concerts and the Department of Home Affairs for comment. None has been received.
OTHER COUNTRIES WHO HAVE BANNED SINGER
South Africa wouldn’t be the only country to ban Chris Brown from entering based on his criminal allegations.
The singer has been denied entry into the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand based on his “history of abuse.”
In 2010, the U.K.’s home office said of Chris Brown: “We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offense. Public safety is one of our primary concerns. Each application to enter the UK is considered on its individual merits.”
SHOULD AUTHORITIES PERMIT CHRIS BROWN TO PERFORM IN SA?
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