It seems this episode is now no longer the responsibility of the South African government, after 3 months of their financial support. We cannot complain about the effort the government has put in, but we need to get a commitment from them that in the event of further attacks the government and city with not hesitate to open halls and shelter immediately. We have to be clear that the political situation in South Africa is intensifying and this is likely to encourage the frustrations that ultimately led to the murder of over 70 people, because they were easy targets.
It seems that the situation in Zimbabwe is intensifying and the trip by Kgalema Motlanthe to Zimbabwe indicates that the South African government is taking this situation seriously. We have now to plan carefully about how and where to apply the much needed pressure. It is clear that the situation in Zimbabwe needs to change, even if there was violence it would be better for the rights of Zimbabweans. I say this not because I believe that violence is the answer but currently the situation of peace amidst the worst possible conditions, where survival is no longer possible, has resulted in the South African authorities rejecting refuge to hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans. Sadly the world would actually care more if there was blood on the street. If there were conflict in Zimbabwe South Africa would not be allowed to deport Zimbabweans, temporarily this was indeed the case. However, following the signing of the deal’ things have changed and now it is less likely than ever for Zimbabweans to receive refugee status. If Zimbabweans are unable to work in South Africa, how are we supposed to feed the Zimbabweans families that have remained, ultimately the current situation is murderous and honestly could not get any worse. What we can only hope for is finality, in the near future, of the outcome of this much spoken about deal.
I must point out, to inform Zimbabweans of their rights, that even if one is rejected refugee status they have the right to appeal. There are to types of rejection for an asylum seeker, unfounded and manifestly unfounded. If you are manifestly unfounded you have to make an application to the standing committee within 7 days. If you are unfounded then you need to make an application within 14 days to the refugee appeals board. These appeal processes currently take around eight months before you can be finally rejected, thus because of the failure of the Department of Home Affairs, Zimbabweans actually benefit.
This week we have seen the closure of Youngsfield, the second last of the three remaining camps for the victims of xenophobia. It seems this episode is now no longer the responsibility of the South African government, after 3 months of their financial support. We cannot complain about the effort the government has put in, but we need to get a commitment from them that in the event of further attacks the government and city with not hesitate to open halls and shelter immediately. We have to be clear that the political situation in South Africa is intensifying and this is likely to encourage the frustrations that ultimately led to the murder of over 70 people, because they were easy targets.
It seems that the situation in Zimbabwe is intensifying and the trip by Kgalema Motlanthe to Zimbabwe indicates that the South African government is taking this situation seriously. We have now to plan carefully about how and where to apply the much needed pressure. It is clear that the situation in Zimbabwe needs to change, even if there was violence it would be better for the rights of Zimbabweans. I say this not because I believe that violence is the answer but currently the situation of peace amidst the worst possible conditions, where survival is no longer possible, has resulted in the South African authorities rejecting refuge to hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans. Sadly the world would actually care more if there was blood on the street. If there were conflict in Zimbabwe South Africa would not be allowed to deport Zimbabweans, temporarily this was indeed the case. However, following the signing of the deal’ things have changed and now it is less likely than ever for Zimbabweans to receive refugee status. If Zimbabweans are unable to work in South Africa, how are we supposed to feed the Zimbabweans families that have remained, ultimately the current situation is murderous and honestly could not get any worse. What we can only hope for is finality, in the near future, of the outcome of this much spoken about deal.
I must point out, to inform Zimbabweans of their rights, that even if one is rejected refugee status they have the right to appeal. There are to types of rejection for an asylum seeker, unfounded and manifestly unfounded. If you are manifestly unfounded you have to make an application to the standing committee within 7 days. If you are unfounded then you need to make an application within 14 days to the refugee appeals board. These appeal processes currently take around eight months before you can be finally rejected, thus because of the failure of the Department of Home Affairs, Zimbabweans actually benefit.
By Passop