At last – toilets at Marabastad

The move has been prompted by a number of demonstrations by Zimbabwean asylum seekers and concerns raised by the parliamentary portfolio on home affairs over the lack facilities and health related issues.
When The Zimbabwean visited the centre last week it saw hundreds of asylum seekers waiting for a turn to be served standing in the shade and using the nearby toilet facilities.
Last month over 500 asylum seekers mostly from Zimbabwe demonstrated at the centre demanding an improvement in services and security. Due to lack of security at the centre crime was also of major concern to the asylum seekers who ended up being mugged and the Home Affairs department has as a result secured the services of the Tshwane Metro Police.
Parliamentary portfolio committee chairman Patrick Chauke described the centre as “very dirty” and “lacking management or supervision” when the committee made its unannounced visit recently. The committee has been conducting oversight visits of home affairs facilities around the country.
Last month it condemned conditions at Marabastad and gave a deadline for corrective measures to be taken. The MPs said the centre’s equipment needed to be upgraded and observed a lack of appropriate furniture. They also commented on inadequate management and a series of problems in processing the arrivals there.