The matter has been postponed until next Wednesday to allow the SA police service and Home Affairs Department time to file papers explaining why they can’t implement the  residents’ demands.

When the Pretoria High Court agreed to hear the case on an urgent basis last Tuesday, the police and Home Affairs agreed to abide by the outcome.

They found, however, that the residents’ bid to get tough with the refugees who’ve been camping  on the pavement outside the UNHCR for month  is not practicable.

Judge Natvarlal Ranchod as stood the matter down for a third time urging the parties to find agreement on effective action. 

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The refugees’ leaders say they are ready for any judgment and would rather die than be moved.

The South African Police Service, Department of Home Affairs and Tshwane Metropolitan Authority say the residents demands are in some cases misdirected and are not practicable.

Judge Natvarlal Ranchod stood the matter down for a second day yesterday and urged the parties to reach an agreement on what can be achieved.

The refugees say their protest demanding the UNHCR move them to safe countries, away from xenophobic attacks in South Africa, will continue 

The post Resident hope to wrap up their legal action to clear off refugees protest appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

The matter has been postponed until next Wednesday to allow the SA police service and Home Affairs Department time to file papers explaining why they can’t implement the  residents’ demands.

When the Pretoria High Court agreed to hear the case on an urgent basis last Tuesday, the police and Home Affairs agreed to abide by the outcome.

They found, however, that the residents’ bid to get tough with the refugees who’ve been camping  on the pavement outside the UNHCR for month  is not practicable.

Judge Natvarlal Ranchod as stood the matter down for a third time urging the parties to find agreement on effective action. 

The post Government now opposing legal bid to move refugees protesting outside UNHCR Pretoria office appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

As the urgent action seeking to remove them stretches into a third day in the Pretoria High Court, the refugees insist they are not going anywhere.

Refugee leader Aline Bukuru says they are ready for any court judgment.

“We would die here and the world would see the UNHCR is not prepared to protest us,# she said

She was in the Pretoria High Court where the Home Affairs Department and South African Police Service have asked to be heard on problems they have with demands by the residents of Brooklyn and Waterkloof.

Judge Natvarlal Ranchod has stood the matter over for another day to allow them to prepare documents.

The refugees are not represented in court. 

The post We’d rather die here than be moved, say refugees protesting outside UNHCR office in Pretoria appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Ten portals have been provided and they have pitched later tents on the pavements.

The residents associations of Brooklyn and Waterkloof are seeking a court order forcing the Tshwane Metropolitan authority, South African Police Service and Department of Home Affairs to move the refugees.

More than 600 mainly Congolese citizens are involved in the protest that has lasted more than three weeks.

Residents say the the refugees pose health and security risks.

The UNHCR says moving them is a complex matter that has to take its place with hundreds of thousands of other refugees in need of help around the world.

The post Refugee numbers swell as court action to move them looms appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Democratic Alliance MP Adrian Roos says he’l ask the directors general Home Affairs and Co-operative Governance what they are doing  about the  refugees demand to be moved away from xenophobic attacks.

Outgoing Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba is expected the joint parliamentary portfolio committee meeting in Cape Town tomorrow despite his resignation from the Democratic Alliance.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has tweeted that the more than 1000 protestors outside their offices in Pretoria and Cape Town are getting no special treatment.

If they want to be moved from South Africa, where they feel threatened, there are recognized procedures to follow. 

The post Sit-ins at UNHCR offices in Pretoria and Cape Town to be discussed in Parliament on Tuesday appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Enforcing strict provisions the department said was aimed at curbing child trafficking has cost the country billions in lost tourist revenue.

The statement from Home Affairs today says foreign children from countries requiring visas or with passports giving particulars of parents will not have to supply documentation like unabridged birth certificates.

Travelers are urged nevertheless to carry the documents which may be required in certain circumstances for example children from countries exempt from visa requirements in South Africa.

South African children traveling abroad will not need documentation if their parents are listed in their passports.

To meet requirements of the Children Act, the permission of both parents is required for a child leaving the country, so an affidavit must be produced  from a parent not accompany that child. 

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Ramaphosa has described it as a great personal loss.

President Jacob Zuma and and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa have conveyed their sincere condolences to Ronnie Mamoepa’s immediate and extended family, comrades, friends and colleagues.

The 56-year-old former political prisoner and member of the Gauteng provincial legislature was spokesman for the Department of International Relations, Home Affairs and the Deputy President.

Ramaphosa  says he joins Mamoepa’s  relatives, friends, comrades and colleagues who have suffered the loss of someone who was much loved and respected across the country and beyond.

They will miss him greatly.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

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