Annie Mapoma
FOR some refugees, South Africa is not the land of milk and honey. “We would rather go back and die in our country than stay here and suffer,” said two Rwandans being counselled this week by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Johannesburg.
Alexis Nzigimana (23) and Just Matata (22) are among the few Rwandans to have reached South Africa after fleeing the genocide, hunger and disease which has left hundreds of thousands of their compatriots dead or dying.
Housed at the Refuge in Christ Centre in Boksburg, the two men have asked the UNHCR to help them return home.
Asked if it was not too early for them to return to Rwanda, Fedillis Swai, UNHCR information officer said: “Voluntary repatriation is the best last solution for any refugee. It is UNHCR’s job to see that this dream comes true for as many refugees as possible.”
Even if they do manage to return, they will not find the lives and homes they left.
Said Nzigimana: “I phoned Rwanda when I was in Mozambique. I was told my relatives were dead.” Matata has had no news of his family. “My only hope is to find them alive when I get there,” he said sadly.
When the Rwandan conflict erupted, Nzigimana and Matata first sought asylum in Tanzania. When the fighting between the Hutu and Tutsi groups continued, they fled to Mozambique before making their way to South Africa.
Lois Williams, UNHCR social services officer, asked them why they had chosen South Africa instead of neighbouring countries like Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique where facilities for refugees are in place.
“I thought I could get a better life in South Africa, but I was wrong,” said Nzigimana.
“Staying in Tanzania was better, because there people gave us food; but here we are suffering, we have to buy everything.”
Matata also regrets his decision to come to South Africa. On his arrival, he was arrested and detained by police for a week before his status as a refugee was determined. Both have now made up their minds to return home.
Williams explained: “The UNHCR’s initial programme in South Africa was the repatriation and reintegration of exiled South Africans into society and later, the repatriation of Mozambicans who had stayed in the country over three years.
“However, the UNHCR also assisted refugees from other countries whose status was recognised by the government.”
The original programme to help South African returnees has since ended, with unfortunate consequences for some.
Solomon Majola of Soweto was in exile in Botswana. On his return, he could trace none of his relatives.
“I went to our family home in Soweto but the house is occupied by other people and no one seemed to know anything about my family,” he said.
Williams told him: “We cannot give you any help because you’re no longer a refugee. This is your country.” She advised him to go the Home Affairs office without delay to get an identity document.