The Department of Home Affairs provides progress update on the removal of tents and ablution facilities at temporary shelters in Paint City and Wingfield in Cape Town
The Department of Home Affairs and its partners have been engaging the protestors living in temporary shelters in Paint City and Wingfield in Cape Town before taking down the tents and removing ablution facilities today, 30 April 2020.
On Monday, 26 April 2021, the protestors were given a final notice to take the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offer to assist them to reintegrate into local communities or to voluntarily repatriate to their countries of origin.
Immigration and UNHCR officials have been based at the Proteaville Centre in Bellville where immigration officials are assisting to verify the status of some foreign nationals who may have lost or misplaced their documents and those who are undocumented. Some of these people need these documents to satisfy the requirements as stipulated by the UNHCR for voluntary repatriation back to their countries of origin and for reintegration.
Over the course of the week, the majority of protestors in both facilities came forward indicating their willingness to either reintegrate or voluntarily repatriate. Around 400 protesters from Wingfield and another 120 from Paint City communicated their preferences this week.
Law enforcement authorities have opted to allow immigration and UNHCR officials time to complete their work and not disrupt them by moving in at the moment.
Enquiries:
Siya Qoza - Spokesperson for the Minister of Home Affairs
Cell: 082 898 1657
David Hlabane - Media Manager for the Department of Home Affairs
Cell: 071 342 4284
