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Congolese family in refugee limbo

Source: Times Live, 19/08/2016

The Department of Home Affairs has distanced itself from a Tutsi
family from the Democratic Republic of Congo seeking refuge in South
Africa.

Speaking to TMG Digital on Friday afternoon‚ Home Affairs spokesperson
Mayihlome Tshwete said the family is a matter being handled by the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

"This particular case speaks to the issue of a Congolese who left
Congo due to some political unrest and got refugee status in Zimbabwe
with the assistance of the UNHCR. In 2010‚ while the UNHCR was still
helping him with his settlement‚ he decided to come to South Africa
where he also applied for refugee status.

"Since then‚ there have been a number of complications relating to
this matter and the UNHCR has been at the forefront of trying to
resolve this issue. We can't give refugee status to a person who
already has one in another country‚" said Tshwete.

The man and his wife have been separated from their five children
since June 3. The Star reported that three children were taken to
Soshanguve‚ north of Pretoria while the two younger ones were taken to
Ga-Rankuwa by the Department of Social Development.

The man was reportedly advised by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to
flee to South Africa to seek protection under the UNHCR regional
office.

"If there are any problems with that refugee status in that country‚
we have not seen any formal documents or any assessment that he
requires refugee status away from Zimbabwe but in South Africa‚" added
Tshwete.

He said the UNHCR told Home Affairs that the situation in Zimbabwe is
fine for the family to live there‚ but the man did not accepted this
assessment because he said he his family were brutally abused while
living there.

"We sympathise with the family‚ but the UNHCR and the man need to sort
out their matters because the law still applies‚" added
Tshwete.

The UNHCR could not be reached for comment by the time of publication.

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