Rosettenville closes doors

t contempt of High Court orders from Pretoria which ordered the offices to process new applications after they had taken similar action last year.
Many asylum seekers have been left in a desperate position. Most affected are Zimbabwean asylum seekers who have fled home after being labelled state enemies for being members of the opposition.
“We have approached the Rosettenville Home Affairs refugee office several times to seek assistance in being issued with asylum permits only to be told that they are no longer taking in new applicants.
“What are we supposed to do? We can not go back to our countries because our governments will persecute or kill us,” asked Simon Tembo from Highfield in Harare.
The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) said it viewed the closure of the office as a serious matter of concern.
“We are of the view that this action is in contempt of earlier court orders and is motivated by political considerations over South Africa’s commitment both to its own laws and other regional and international obligations,” said Gabriel Shumba, Chief Executive Officer of ZEF. – CAJ News