The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Adv Bongani Bongo, welcomes the decision by the South African government to, within 14 days, cease the temporary shelter services at Paint City and Wingfield in Cape Town.
The Chairperson is of the considered view that everything humanly possible has been done to accommodate, discuss and find workable solutions to the impasse. “The continued stay at the two sites is in direct contravention of South Africa’s policy of no-encampment for refugees in the country and spending on those sites is outside the regulatory frameworks governing various government departments and agencies. It is in this context that we believe the dicision by the government is the correct one,” Adv Bongo said.
The committee has since the start of the protests highlighted the need to find solutions within the law, and the need to implement an exit strategy on the matter. The offers made by various United Nations (UN) agencies are according to the Chairperson beyond generous and should be taken up by the protesters.
The Chairperson also welcomes the announcement of verification processes and deportation of those that cannot be accommodated by refugee and asylum legislation. “We welcome the progress in processing all applications for asylum and refugee status and the deportation of those that do not qualify. We call for the speedy conclusion of all processes to verify, grant permits and deport those that do not qualify,” Adv Bongo said.
Adv Bongo emphasised his appreciation for the 390 individuals that have accepted the offer of reintegration into communities. The successful reintegration of the 390 is confirmation that communities are willing to accept back those refugees that had left. Furthermore, the Chairperson welcomes the announcement that 121 individuals have signed voluntary repatriation offered by the UN.
The Chairperson called on those still residing at the two sites to consider the offers made by various UN agencies and the government to bring to an end this matter. “We reiterate the call we made earlier that respect for laws is paramound in South Africa and breaking of those laws is untenable,” Adv Bongo said.
The committee will upon the expiry of the 14 days request an update on the matter.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Malatswa Molepo
Parliamentary Communication Services
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