On 28 April Russian born actress Ieva Andrejevaite, arrived without a visa at the Cape Town International Airport in a private jet. She was deported after attempting to abuse South Africa’s immigration laws.

Siya Qoza Home Affairs spokesperson says Andrejevaite wanted to abuse South Africa’s refugee management regime when she made up a story of sought to apply for an asylum due to the “war in Ukraine”.

“After [first being refused] entry, she then lied to immigration officials making up a story of wanting to apply for asylum. As a result of our asylum seeker laws, immigration officials’ hands were tied and they were required to let her into the country so that she could apply for asylum within five days.”

“At no stage during her stay in the country did Ms Andrejevaite attempt to apply for asylum. As such, she became an illegal foreigner, as defined in the Immigration Act, because the five-day period lapsed. Instead, images of her attending a party in Cape Town hosted by Mr Rob Hersov surfaced on numerous publications and social media platforms.”

“She also lied under oath as parts of her founding affidavit were clearly fabricated. The department opposed the application and set out clearly the factual position of the department exposing the lies in her affidavit and the fact that she was now an illegal foreigner.”

Qoza said the Western Cape High Court ordered Andrejevaite apologise to South Africans, the Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and the Department of Home Affairs officials.

“She made a formal apology to all the listed parties on the same day. A copy of which is attached to this statement. Ms Andrejevaite also formally withdrew her ill-fated application after accepting that she had lied in it and agreed to pay the costs incurred by the department which opposed the farcical application.”

The deported actress is now banned and will not be allowed in South Africa for five years.