No security at Home Affairs in Cape Town

Source: Groundup, 25/05/2018

Refugees and asylum seekers say that the Home Affairs offices on the
Foreshore in Cape Town are more chaotic than ever since security
vanished from the facility.
It is not unusual for refugees to experience poor service and
mistreatment and to queue from 5am‚ but in the past week they say
things have become even worse.
Asylum seekers come to renew their papers; refugees arrive to collect
IDs‚ apply for passports and register children and relatives. But in
the absence of security to show people which queue to join‚ people
are left confused. There is also no one to maintain order in the
queues or to prioritise mothers with babies and small children.
On Wednesday‚ GroundUp found no security at the main entrance.
Usually security guards screen people on arrival. Inside the gate‚
there were two officials collecting documents. Outside the offices‚
officials would appear from time to time and collect documents handed
to them over the perimeter fence or call out the names of people
whose files they had. Some people said they did not know what queue
they were standing in.
An Ethiopian man‚ who preferred not to be named‚ had flown from
Johannesburg on Tuesday night and queued on Wednesday to extend his
refugee status. He was told at 10am to return on Thursday.
But Home Affairs told GroundUp: “The status renewal schedule is
aligned to the schedule for available interpreters (Ethiopians are on
Wednesday). However‚ if there is proof of travelling the applicants
are prioritised.”
“The problem with this place is that no one listens … No one cares or
gives a damn‚” said the man. “You are not given a chance to raise
your issues or explain your circumstances. Besides losing my seat
[for the return flight] today‚ I have to pay for accommodation and
it’s not guaranteed that if I come again tomorrow I will be served.”
He also said he was missing work and would not be paid.
A number of parents told GroundUp their children were missing school.
“My two children‚ who are doing grade four and eight‚ have missed
three days of school‚” a mother said. “It is crucial that they be in
school because they are doing revision in preparation for mid-year
examinations. These people just don’t care. When I showed him [the
official] my paper‚ he just pushed it back without even looking at it.
“For three days I didn’t work. Next week it’s month end. I need to
pay school fees and rent. I hope today they will help me. I do have a
refugee status that I renew every four years‚” she said.
Pastor Belesi from the Democratic Republic of Congo said he had
applied for his ID last year in December and was told he should
follow up after three months. He said last week he forced himself
inside the building. He was told the official who deals with IDs was
away for the whole week and he should return next week.
“So today I am here since 6am‚ but I do not see myself getting any
service‚” said Belesi. “I am just waiting. Nobody is telling me
anything. I don’t know what to do; should I stay‚ go or wait? I
missed the 10am church meeting and the congregation is still waiting
for me.”
Home Affairs spokesperson Thabo Mokgola responded to a number of
queries but ignored GroundUp’s question about the security guard
situation.