Pretoria - Home Affairs has not received a visa application from the Dalai Lama to visit South Africa, the department said on Monday.
The department noted media reports on the alleged submission of a visa application by the Dalai Lama in order to visit South Africa to attend the birthday celebrations of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
"...the department's immigration section has been in contact with our diplomatic mission in New Delhi on Saturday as well as today, Monday 29 August, to verify if such an application by the Dalai Lama for a visa has been received.
"The diplomatic mission has advised us on both occasions that no such application for a visa by the Dalai Lama has at this stage been received," it said.
The department has asked its diplomatic mission to immediately inform Pretoria if a visa application is received.
"Upon receipt of such an application, the matter will be given the necessary attention from Pretoria," it added.
