Minister of Home Affairs Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is outraged that she was not told about the deaths of two illegal immigrants at Lindela Repatriation Centre last month, The Star newspaper reported.
Alice Chumba, who was pregnant, died of complications on July 5 while Mcabangeli Mlambo died the next day after vomiting blood. Chumba (18) and Mlambo (22) were from Zimbabwe.
”It is understood that Mapisa-Nqakula was furious that the deaths had not been reported to her,” the paper reported on Tuesday.
At least seven people have died at Lindela this year, while a further 21 detainees died at the neighbouring Leratong Hospital, where they were taken for treatment.
The minister became outraged after the deaths of the two Zimbabweans, and suspended three officials from her department.
Arthur Frazer, the centre’s deputy director-general, Ricardo Abrahams, the director of deportations and Gcinumzi Ntlakana, the chief director of the inspectorate, were suspended with full pay.
Fraser is the brother of Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi. – Sapa