isation to the Guptas was consistent with their exceptional circumstances as owners of businesses that employed many people. Gigaba has now sought the advice of President Cyril Ramaphosa to revoke Ajay Gupta’s permanent residency. However, while he dithers on the Guptas,the lives of tens of thousands of people hang in the balance as a direct result of his department’s inefficient, uncaring and even illegal conduct. Right now, as the minister fights for his political survival, thousands of stories of wrongfully denied immigrants are playing out across the country. Stories such as that of the Mulowayis, a family from the Democratic Republic of Congo who have had to renounce their citizenship to their home country as per Home Affairs’ instructions, only to have their applications for South African citizenship denied for no discernible reason. Thousands of children of immigrants find themselves legally non-existent and will remain so until Home Affairs can show the leadership and efficiency to apply the law consistently and live up to its mandate. Until then, the Mulowayis parents, a doctor and a teacher, and thousands like them, will continue to be hampered in their efforts to contribute to our country. In a single court case, our