The African Diaspora Forum (ADF) has expressed its disappointment with the eviction of the refugees who were camping outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The group of about 100 women, children and men had been camping outside the UNHCR office since 2019 demanding to be relocated to other countries. They said they don’t want to live in South Africa because they fear xynophobic attacks.
The chairperson of the ADF, Vusumuzi Sibanda said they are disappointed with the eviction of the group of refugees but this doesn’t come as a surprise because this is not the first time it has happened.
“You must remember that the City of Tshwane and other stakeholders did go to court again to seek the eviction of the refugees and asylum seekers who camped at UNHCR without really addressing the issue that were being brought up by the asylum seekers and the refugee.
“The issues were among others, a lack of safety that was being provided to asylum seekers and refugees. And even the failure by law enforcement authorities to intervene whenever they were attacked,” he added.
On Friday, law enforcement officials took a group of refugees to Lindela while six people were arrested and about 50 refugees decided to go camp in a park in Sunnyside, Pretoria rather than go to the Lindela Repatriation Centre.
Sibanda said the ADF will engage with stakeholders in a bid to find a lasting solution in the matter.
