As part of ongoing efforts to bring immigration under control, the government has started relocating refugee application offices from inland areas to the country’s ports of entry.
The relocation is expected to prevent asylum seekers whose applications are declined from absconding and remaining in the country illegally.
The move effectively restores the country’s right to determine who is admitted as a refugee or asylum seeker, and who is not.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mamoloko Kubayi said the relocation of the offices is expected to simplify refugee admissions and make it possible to immediately turn back those who do not qualify.
“We will work in a progressive manner to move the refugee centres from inland areas to the borders, starting with the one in Pretoria. So, how it works is that you arrive, say you want asylum or refugee status, then your application is assessed and you are informed of the outcome,” said Kubayi.
Until now, asylum seekers were allowed into the country, and it was nigh impossible to trace and deport them when they were denied refugee status. It was through this arrangement that many (estimated to be tens of thousands) would disappear into communities when their applications were refused, or simply not apply if they knew they did not qualify.
Kubayi said the government was also taking advantage of a recent Constitutional Court ruling allowing the deportation of immigrants whose asylum applications have been rejected while they are appealing or reapplying.
“There was previously, before the Constitutional Court judgment, a person could reapply and reapply whilst they were still in the country. Now this court judgment helps the government because it says once an application is rejected, a person must exit. Previously, they could be rejected and say they are reapplying or appealing, and when they do that, you had no legal authority to deport them,” she said.
While the government does not believe the country’s constitution encourages illegal migration, the minister did not rule out a review of relevant clauses that may have been exploited by illegal foreign nationals.