Minister of Home Affairs Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Tuesday postponed the deportation of about 2 000 illegal immigrants over the festive period.
Mapisa-Nqakula made the announcement during a visit to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp on the West Rand.
Departmental spokesperson Nkosana Sibuyi said the minister made the observation that there is a ”tendency by some foreign nationals who are illegally in South Africa to hand themselves over voluntarily so that can get free ride back home”, which is a festive phenomenon.
”The minister reiterated the department’s position that all illegal immigrants would only be deported after the festive season.”
Sibuyi said Mapisa-Nqakula also observed that some illegal immigrants detained at the centre ”deliberately hid their nationalities and identities and pretended to be from war-torn countries so they could acquire refugee status”.
He said this will delay the immigrants’ deportation as they will have to go through the channels of applying for a refugee permit.
Report of riot
Sibuyi said on Monday that Mapisa-Nqakula received a report that illegal immigrants had rioted at the centre.
”Six illegal immigrants rebelled and broke some doors and windows — as they were aware the department had taken a decision not to deport them.”
On Tuesday, during her visit, the minister ordered the arrest of the six people.
”The minister ordered the six be arrested and jailed so they would not influence the rest of the people. They will go through the normal court processes of this country.”
Sibuyi said Mapisa-Nqakula indicated to the immigrants that ”those who violated South Africa’s laws would be detained and deported on our time”.
Most of the illegal immigrants are from Zimbabwe or Mozambique, while the rest are from Nigeria, Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho. — Sapa