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Foreigners must be treated with dignity

Source: by ANA -, 14/10/2015


Home Affairs says foreigners must be treated with dignity as they too
have human rights.
Several interventions are in the pipeline as the Department of Home
Affairs moves in to sanitize its notorious Marabastad refugee
reception office, characterised by violent crime and allegations of
extensive corruption.

On Tuesday, Mayihlome Tshwete, spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister
Malusi Gigaba said his department was aware of the various complaints
levelled against the centre.


"We are looking at different interventions from our side, which will
include an appointment system for people who want to visit the office.
As Home Affairs, we are assisted by other government agencies at the
site. We are mainly responsible of what happens inside the premises,"
said Tshwete.


"That said, Minister Gigaba is on record for saying no one should
treat foreigners in our country as people who do not have
rights.

Human rights apply to foreigners as well. We do not
take this matter lightly. Where there is a culture of abusing
foreigners, it will end," he stated.


Every week day, thousands of immigrants congregate outside the
Marabastad office, hoping to renew or get asylum-seeker
documents.


On Tuesday, the immigrants complained about corrupt police officers
and Home Affairs staff who demanded bribes. A number of foreign
nationals claimed that Home Affairs was turning a blind eye to their
plight.


"For years, several ministers have come and gone but without solving
this mess. We are at the mercy of unscrupulous police officers,
corrupt Home Affairs officials and nyaope addicts making a living out
of stealing from us," said Zambian Trevor Masimiri.


"South Africa preaches African solidarity and renaissance on one hand,
while immigrants from other countries continue to be treated like
trash. We have left our countries because of circumstance beyond our
control. We had South Africans also in our countries when things were
bad here," he said.


Another asylum-seeker, only identified as Bethany, said a place in the
queue cost anything from between R50 and R200.


"But there is no guarantee that you will extend your asylum-seeker
permit. That money is taken by the police manning the queues. At the
same time, you always have to be on the look-out for criminals here.
Police don`t do anything because the criminals are never arrested,"
Bethany said.



"The police run this place like a mafia. Every day people, even women
get assaulted here," she revealed.


Numerous men were controlling the queue outside, holding batons and
rubber whips.


Earlier on Tuesday, Zimbabwean school teacher, Wilson Kwatamanzi was
allegedly repeatedly punched with clenched fists, put in a chokehold
and "almost died" after he was spotted by police officers taking
pictures while queuing at the centre.


"I wanted to send the pictures to my employer, to notify the school
administration that there is chaos here and I will not be able to
leave early. I explained to the police officers but they started
punching me. I ran for help to Home Affairs guards but they could not
intervene," said Kwatamanzi, who sported swollen cheeks.


He was arrested by Constable Benny Ndlovu and detained in a truck
inside the Home Affairs premises. Home Affairs security officials
released Kwatamanzi after several hours.


When Ndlovu then spotted Kwatamanzi queuing again, he re-arrested him
and again detained him in the truck.


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