The Department of Home Affairs today Wednesday, 13 June 2012 working together with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), responded speedily and efficiently to disruptions caused allegedly by Ethiopian foreign nationals at the Pretoria Showgrounds Refugee Reception Offices.
Our reports indicate that Ethiopian foreign nationals allegedly who did not want to queue for services at the Pretoria Showgrounds began to throw stones at East African refugees who were already queuing for services including the renewal of section 22 permits. Similarly, the Ethiopians foreign nationals did not want to observe the rule that women and children including the most vulnerable be served first.
This invariably led to disruptions to the normal traffic flow with motor vehicles being pelted with stones, businesses in the area unable to conduct their normal operations, while the general peace and safety of the public was compromised. Accordingly, the management of the centre had to involve the South African Police Services to assist in crowd control and management.
With the general situation not improving and in consultation with the police and representatives of the foreign nationals, a decision was made to suspend operations at the centre for the day, while serving women, children and the most vulnerable only.
While the government respects the rights of both citizens and foreigners to embark on protest action to highlight their demands and plight, government reiterates its view that this must be done in a orderly manner and within the framework of the law.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Fatima Chohan will later today Wednesday, 13 June 2012 meet with senior officials of the Department to discuss the events of today at TIRRO Refugee Reception Office and to develop the way forward.
The department reiterates that services are rendered to foreign nationals according to the following weekly schedule:
- SADC nationals: Monday – Tuesday
- East Africa: Wednesday
- West Africa: Thursday
- Asia and other countries: Friday.
We also remind foreign nationals who are holding section 22 permits that applications for renewals can be made up to 15 days in advance of the expiry date. Foreign nationals do not therefore have to wait until the day on which their permits expire to apply for extensions to their permits.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
