2nd October

Press Statement for Immediate Release

PASSOP Appeal to Premier Lynn Brown to take action against human rights violations at the Cape Town Refugee Centre

Following our brief meeting with the Premier, we desperately request her intervention in the current crisis in the Western Cape. We were encouraged by her serious concern in the meeting and now ask of her to take actions towards solving the crisis. We believe that images of women and children being shot with rubber bullets in Western Cape are an embarrassment to all. Incidents like that witnessed on Monday the 29th of September at the Cape Town refugee centre are be becoming part of our image as a province. Such incidents occur because home affairs have failed to serve or even respect the human rights of immigrants.

The department is the most corrupt department in the province. They create disasters and the police are forced to intervene frequently. It is unfortunate that the police end up having to behave like the home affairs mafia, a government department demands that they use force to disperse immigrants who complain about corruption. The department should not be forcing police to disperse people who are awaiting services that are only performed at its office in Nyanga.

Last year we even witnessed the death of a Zimbabwean asylum seeker, from starvation, while waiting weeks day and night in the queue. The Nyanga refugee centre is not an adequate premises, it is located in at township that has the highest murder rate in the province and has a recent history of xenophobic violence. There is need to up hold the image of the Western Cape, further deaths can be avoided.

This is not acceptable and we believe that Mrs Lynn Brown, as Premier has a responsibility and the authority to demand that the refugee centre fulfil its basic functions without daily violations of human rights. We ask her to selflessly give extra attention to the most desperate, to champion the rights of immigrants who have no vote.

Braam Hanekom- 0832561140

Cosmos Lerato – 0742293127

Tendai Bhiza – 0767103543