Pretoria – Government on Friday said it was concerned by the “unwarranted destruction of public property and the provocative confrontation” by asylum seekers towards members of the police outside a regional Home Affairs building in Cape Town.
Asylum seekers threw stones at police on Thursday apparently because they were told they would have to go to the Home Affairs offices where they first applied to update their paperwork.
“The violent outburst and reaction by the asylum seekers is in violation of the law and will not be tolerated. The South African government has policies and forums that are in place which afford asylum seekers the opportunity to raise concerns affecting them,” said Acting Director General of the Department of Communication, Donald Liphoko.
She said South Africa was a signatory to United Nations conventions, including the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and supports international efforts to protect and assist refugees and asylum-seekers, in particular by providing them with access to health facilities, schools and social services.
Asylum seekers must report to the Refugee Reception Office before a permit expires for a second interview which is conducted by a Refugee Status Determination Officer.
In the event a case is rejected, an asylum seeker or refugee who believes that he has a well-founded fear of persecution may decide to appeal against the rejection decision of the RSDO to the Refugee Appeal Board in the prescribed manner within 30 days after the decision has been handed over.
“Government encourages continued dialogue to resolve such matters and remains committed to supporting and assisting those with valid reasons for seeking asylum in our country,” said Acting Director General Liphoko. – SAnews.gov.za
