Refugee management is not a simple task

Source: City Press, 22/07/2018

Terry Bell’s report, “Skilled Personnel: smuggled, exploited in SA”
(City Press, July 15 2018), sheds light on refugee management
complexities that are often simplified in self-serving diatribes.
A typical example is Claire van den Heever`s `Humanitarian in
appearance, inhumane in reality` (City Press, July 15 2018), which is
far-fetched to say the least. South Africa does more with its limited
resources in the service of all of humanity.
Bell’s report offers a rare glimpse of the push and pull factors
ejecting individuals from their countries. He exposes, through the eye
of a Pakistani trader, how people are trafficked, smuggled and exploited.
Without analysing who migrates, why, how and at what cost, it’s easy
to downplay sacrifices and humanitarian efforts made by countries like
South Africa. We learn that the trader was already in Mozambique
before crossing the border, without papers, which were “arranged”
later by his handlers. He left Pakistan not because of a well-founded
fear of persecution.
We are reminded of grounds for qualifying for refugee status in Van
den Heever’s recycled invective accusing us of inhumanity for seeking
to test each claim to refugee status. This is prescribed by law, which
the department of home affairs implements with applicable agencies and
organs of state.
The trader is duped by some unscrupulous character enticing people to
migrate to South Africa with no well-founded fear of persecution.
Though not the only factor, I suppose this should illuminate why South
Africa’s refugee system is under pressure, adversely affecting the
processing of applications of genuine asylum seekers.
The asylum system is not a failure. Far from it. Improvements continue
to be made to capacitate refugee offices and staff. Think of the
resources going into the new Desmond Tutu Refugee Reception Centre,
which features an automated booking system that should help in
addressing waiting time while curbing fraud and corruption.
The World Bank’s recent report on migration puts South Africa as a
destination six times higher than any country in the southern African
region. That alone speaks volumes about the humane character of the
refugee system South Africa provides in comparison to any other
country in the region, where the right to work is extended even to
asylum seekers, as well as a non-encampment policy, freedom to move
and benefit from social services.
Last month, the department announced the reopening of the refugee
office in Port Elizabeth, which promises adequate accommodation for
applicants with legitimate claims. Like the Desmond Tutu Refugee
Reception Centre, it has a streamlined process, baby-changing stations
and multiple ablution facilities. There’s provision to also
accommodate the standing committee for refugee affairs, appeal board
hearings and immigration inspectorate facilities.
Regarding the Cape Town refugee office, plans have commenced to comply
with the court order. There’s a budget allocated and funding for
filling of key posts. The new automated booking system has been rolled
out in Cape Town, and signs of relief to the ever-growing
asylum-seeking population in the city are already showing.
In November, an improved refugee travel document was introduced as
part of the roadmap towards the integration of refugees into society.
This document satisfies international standards and, in fact, it would
be interesting to pause and determine how many UN member states have
met this significant milestone before criticising us.
The Refugee Amendment Act that was assented to in December seeks to
enhance the protection regime by, among other things, allowing
applicants to receive fast and improved services. It allows for
legally qualified members of the Refugee Appeal Board to determine
matters individually at the discretion of the chairperson, and for
flexible employment of any number of appeals authority staff to deal
with volumes of cases.
The need for a border management authority was mooted in 2009 for
integrated and efficient management of the country’s ports of entry
and the borderline. Cabinet formally resolved on its establishment in
2013. It endorsed its vision in 2014. Home affairs, with other
government departments and agencies, was given the task of carrying
out this decision. Before approval by the National Assembly in June
last year, there was extensive engagement on the Border Management
Authority Bill within government, the National Economic Development
and Labour Council and broader society.
Isn’t it ironic to complain that borders are “porous” while opposing
initiatives for enhancing immigration and border control? There were
platforms for public consultation. The system of exploitation and
cheap labour is sustained by corporates and by some among us who are
prone to cry foul in pursuance of their own selfish interests.
Managing migration is a societal issue. Thus, the new white paper on
international migration advocates for a whole of government and
society approach, and outlines roles of national, provincial and local
government.
There is political will. In the broader scheme of things, this became
clearer last year when Cabinet approved a new business case for the
repositioning of home affairs. It said, inter alia, that the
department must be positioned within the security system of the state
to enable it to deliver its full mandate as a critical enabler of
inclusive economic development, national security, effective service
delivery and efficient administration.