Status Report on Refugee Reception Offices

Presented by Chief Director: Asylum Seeker Management to the Home Affairs Portfolio

Committee 29th June 2011

Introduction There are currently five designated Refugee Reception Offices in

five of the nine Provinces in the country located in: Musina (Limpopo) Cape Town (Western Cape) Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape) Durban (KwaZulu-Natal) Marabastad (Tshwane - Gauteng) Main Office PTA Show Ground (Satellite) which houses the previous Crown

Mines Operations

The location of these offices in all the provinces is in the city centres

Closure of Crown MinesOn 25 March 2011, a court order instructing the Department to close the JHB Refugee Reception Office within a period of 60 days was issued.

The Department took a decision to relocate the Crown Mines operation to Pretoria Showground

Currently, all clients that were serviced from Crown Mines are expected to report to the Centre located in the Pretoria Showground

A process has been designed to inform all concerned including staff and clients on the relocation

The Department has had to reprioritise its resources to accommodate this unplanned relocation

The relocation process has been designed in such away that there is minimum disruption and compromise to the services to the clients

Status of RRO Lease Agreements

Office Building Ownershi

p

Status of Lease Agreement Current Status

Johannesburg Public Court ordered to move out by 31st May 2011

Operations being relocated to Pretoria

Pretoria Marabastad Public Government Owned Main office for Pretoria OperationsPretoria Showground Private Lease Renting on a month to month basis

whilst looking for alternativeCape Town Private Court order to move out Renting on a month to month basis

whilst looking for alternativePort Elizabeth Private Expires on the 30th November

2011Still operating

Durban Private Expires on the 31st October 2011

Still operating

Musina Private Expires on the 31st August 2013

Still operating, require increased capacity

Factors contributing to the unprecedented demand for service

• SCRA conditions in Section 22 undermine the Immigration Act and act as pull factor

• The perceived sustainable livelihood/better socio-economic opportunities – attract economic migrants who clog the Asylum Seeker System and results in unmanageable demand at the Centres

• Challenges faced by the country in the management of its borders

• South Africa used as a transit to the world beyond

• Absence of a regional approach in managing asylum seekers and refugees

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Map of Ports of Entry

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Current Considerations for Refugee Reception Offices

The Court Orders served to Cape Town and Crown Mines has resulting in the closure of operations in Johannesburg

Threats to evict in Musina and Port Elizabeth

Refugee Reception Offices being situated inappropriately zoned areas (Industrial areas)

Ever-increasing demand for services leading to complaints of nuisance by Business owners

Thank You