On Tuesday Malusi Gigaba, in response to New Zealand’s updated visa regulations, announced that South Africa will no longer be a visa-free travel zone for them either.

“Reciprocity is a national principle. Therefore, in view of the afore-mentioned, a decision was taken to reciprocate by withdrawing the visa exemption which New Zealand passport holders enjoy,” Gigaba said.

The department of home affairs, however, has said that these changes are merely the beginning of a complete overhaul of SA’s immigration regulations and that folks should expect a few more changes in future.

“We have noted that in recent times, a number of countries have imposed visa restrictions on South African passport holders. And in the past, we have not reciprocated due to reasons including tourism considerations particularly in the light of the new immigration regulations that we are implementing,” the minister said, adding that South Africans often find it difficult to travel abroad due to visa restrictions imposed on us by other countries.

“I have therefore directed the department to look closely at the decisions of these countries and advise accordingly whether or not South Africa should reciprocate also in these instances,” he said, but also noted that the new regulations are by no means meant to deter tourists or those travelling for business purposes.