Relocation by boat in November 2014, which is the only means of transport from the Tergol/Akobo entry point in South Sudan. IOM - UN Migration/(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
In July 2020, according to the UNHCR, the number of refugees and asylum-seekers in the world surpassed 30 million, a number higher than the population of 187 countries. In many countries, most notably in the Global South, the migration flows reflected in this figure have overwhelmed refugee determination processes. While most media coverage focuses on refugee movements to Europe and North America, the vast majority of the world’s refugees seek protection in the Global South. Four countries in that region Colombia, Mexico, South Africa, and Uganda have adopted a variety of methods to protect the rights of asylum-seekers who would otherwise be left with little to no protection. And although there is no specific blueprint for such methods, the overarching theme is that advocates must adopt their approach to the underlying so
Since the declaration of the national state of disaster, which was followed by the national lockdown, all public and private offices and institutions were closed down, except the ones that provide essential services.
Offices of the Department of Home Affairs were among those that were closed and its services were limited to ensuring repatriations of South African citizens and permanent residents who were stranded abroad and to allow foreign nationals to depart the country. Closure of these offices meant that permits and visas couldn’t be issued or renewed. Under different levels of the lockdown, certain crucial civil and immigration services were, however, gradually re-opened.
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Author: Callixte Kavuro
Published: 11/02/2021
The ongoing closure of Refugee Reception Offices during the national lockdown has left refugees and asylum seekers in limbo regarding their status in South Africa, writes Dr Callixte Kavuro from the Department of Public Law in an opinion piece for
Daily Maverick (10 February).
here for the piece as published.
Callixte Kavuro
Since the declaration of the national state of disaster, which was followed by the national lockdown, all public and private offices and institutions were closed down, except the ones that provide essentials services.
Offices of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) were among those that were closed down and its services were limited to ensuring repatriations of South African citizens and permanent residents who were stranded abroad and to allow foreign nationals to depart the Republic. Closure of these offices meant that permits and visas couldn t be issued or renewed. Under different levels of the loc
PREMIUM! People heading to Zimbabwe queue up at Beitbridge border post in Musina, South Africa. Picture: Gallo Images
The advent of Covid-19 has seen a drastic drop in movement through South Africa’s borders, compared to the same period last year, the department of home affairs said yesterday. According to its spokesman, Siya Qoza, the figures represented about a third of normal traffic during the festive season. With most movement recorded at OR Tambo International Airport, Beitbridge, Lebombo, Maseru and Ficksburg, Qoza said the top five nationalities to move through SA borders were from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Botswana. The December period also saw 79 526 returning South Africans, while another 79 101 left. In the same period,.
Cape refugees forced to use unsanitary methods to wash amid sanitation issues
By Mwangi Githahu
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Cape Town - Hundreds of refugees at the Bellville camp fear for their health more than a month after the national Department of Public Works (DPW) unilaterally withdrew sanitation facilities.
At the time the DPW accused the City of refusing to carry out its mandate to provide shelter and sanitation services at the site.
On Monday, one of the refugee leaders, Papy Sukami, said: “Now, 10 months after we left Greenmarket Square, the situation is desperate at both the Paint City site in Bellville and here where I am at the Wingfield site in Kensington.