A group of refugees and asylum seekers camping outside the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) since 2019 are adamant that they want to relocate to another country rather than be placed in South Africa’s repatriation centre.
The refugees are expected to be evicted today following a court order that stipulated that they will be relocated to the Lindela Repatriation Centre. In terms of the court order the Department of Home Affairs will be on site to assist and to direct them to vehicles that will transport them and their belongings to Lindela.
“Please ensure to mark your items and identify this to the DHA officials before you board the transportation, as it remains your duty to ensure that your personal belongings have been identified and accounted for.
“Please take note that any individuals who refuse to be relocated and/or remain at the affected area after the DHA vehicles have left and/or who become violent will be arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS).”
The group has alleged that in 2019, a group of women and children refugees and asylum seekers were moved to Lindela Repatriation Centre while a group of men were arrested for trespassing.
And this, according to the refugees, is the reason why they don’t trust the South African government and will refuse any offer from it and wants assistance only from the UNHCR.
Johnny Lowoso said the refugees wrote a letter to the UNHCR asking the organisation if it would relocate them even to a camp in Zimbabwe.
“I am sorry to name a place, I know I don’t have the right to choose. Everywhere, even in the bush. If UNHCR takes us to the bush then it is okay. But any offer from the government we don’t want. Lindela is a prison even if they offer us a mansion we don’t want. We don’t want South Africa anymore because of the prosecution,” said Lowoso.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokesperson, Laura Padoan, said they hope the group will cooperate and move voluntarily.
“Our concern is that any removal action is carried out safely and respecting the dignity of the refugees who are here. So following last week’s court order we understand that removal actions are forthcoming this week. We really hope that refugees take the opportunity to leave voluntarily with DHA at the Lindela before any forced action is necessary,” said Padoan.
