A strong police presence has been deployed outside the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre on Che Guevara Road in Durban, South Africa, after anti-immigration protesters blocked the entrance. The protesters, who had been patrolling the surrounding streets from early morning, accused undocumented foreign nationals of exploiting the South African Constitution to remain in the country. Riot police in gear lined the street outside the reception centre in anticipation of any flare-ups and road closures.
Thousands of asylum seekers were dispersed from the centre on Thursday as tensions mounted. The protesters, some carrying sticks and knobkerries, chanted and sang as they walked from the reception centre to King Dinuzulu Park. The group declared that "no foreigners would be allowed to enter" the centre. The police presence was increased to maintain order and prevent any further incidents.
The Refugee Appeals Authority (RAA) had called on asylum seekers to come forward for the finalisation of their appeals. A notice on the wall of the reception centre urged all asylum seekers with pending appeals to report to the authority's offices as a matter of urgency. The RAA aimed to expedite the finalisation of outstanding appeals through its priority backlog programme.
The RAA invited affected appellants to consent to a reduced notice period of 10 days for their hearings, instead of the usual 30 days. This move aimed to provide appellants with an opportunity to obtain a final determination of their asylum status without further delay. However, failure to report for service of notices may result in an appeal being determined on the documents before the Authority.
The incident occurred after a Constitutional Court ruling allowed more people to access a merits-based asylum process. However, questions remain over Home Affairs' capacity to process claims and manage people who may enter the country. The ruling had also led to criticism from anti-illegal immigration groups, who argue that the directive could be abused.
The Department of Home Affairs had issued a directive allowing undocumented people to apply for asylum, following the Constitutional Court ruling. The directive has been met with criticism from some groups, who argue that it could lead to an influx of undocumented immigrants. However, the ruling has also been seen as a step towards providing a more inclusive and merits-based asylum process.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by asylum seekers in South Africa. The country's asylum system has been under strain, with many applicants facing long delays in the processing of their claims. The situation remains a contentious issue, with many South Africans expressing concerns about the impact of immigration on the country's resources and economy.
Key points
- Thousands of asylum seekers dispersed after anti-immigration protesters block Home Affairs refugee centre in Durban
- Police presence increased to maintain order and prevent incidents
- Refugee Appeals Authority urges asylum seekers to come forward for finalisation of appeals
