Andy Duffy
The controversial private deportation camp linked to prominent African National Congress women faces closure. The Ministry of Home Affairs fears it can no longer afford to pay the women?s group, Dyambu Holdings, to continue using its camp, and is expected to end the contract by year- end.
Lindela camp, in Randfontein on the West Rand, is a central holding point for captured illegal aliens before they are shipped home. It has processed 55 000 people ? most from Mozambique and Zimbabwe ? since it began operating last August.
Lindela?s contract with Home Affairs expired last month but is being renewed monthly until December, pending the ministry?s decision. Home Affairs officials believe it is vital that the private sector is involved in helping deal with South Africa?s illegal alien problem.
But they believe Lindela will fall victim to belt-tightening. With Lindela shut, its charges will again be kept in prisons and police cells. However, the department would not respond formally to questions.
Losing the contract would be a massive blow to Dyambu Holdings. High-profile ANC women, including Deputy Speaker Baleka Mbete- Kgositsile, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Lindiwe Sisulu (who has since severed ties with the company) and MP Adelaide Tambo, created Dyambu last year to raise funds for community projects.
But Lindela has barely made a profit, charging Home Affairs R20 per illegal immigrant a day; estimated revenues of under R5-million in its first 12 months just cover costs.
Dyambu has now drawn up a strategy to make money. Lindela has spent R200 000 developing a computer programme using fingerprinting and photos to trace aliens, which it is touting to Home Affairs.
Dyambu co-ordinator Daniel Mansell says Lindela now has specialist expertise, which should command a ?fee to match?. He says Dyambu wants a minimum 10-year contract from home affairs to make investment decisions easier.