Immigration

Cape High Court rules closure of refugee centre was unreasonable and irrational

On Wednesday 25 July, Judge Dennis Davis of the Cape High Court ruled in favour of continued access to the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office (CTRRO) for new asylum applicants.

Veronica Washaya

Brief | 1 August 2012

PASSOP report on discrimination against immigrants with different sexual orientations

Last week, People Against Suffering Oppression and Poverty (PASSOP) launched a report titled, "A Dream Deferred on Lesbians Gays Bisexuals Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) in the Immigrant Community."

Veronica Washaya

Brief | 4 July 2012

Dutch family’s 16 year struggle with Home Affairs

A Dutch family that has been living in South Africa since 1996 has been struggling with the Department of Home Affairs for 16 years to live and work legally in South Africa. Now a Public Protector report has found that Home Affairs failed the family and abused its power.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 27 June 2012

Refugees welcome to join trade unions, says COSATU

The United Nations (UN) has marked 20 June of every year World Refugee Day.

Veronica Washaya

News | 27 June 2012

Over 50,000 immigrants deported in 2010

A document called "Perils and Pitfalls – Migrants and Deportations in South Africa," recently released by People Against Suffering and Oppression, explains how the rights of refugees, children and black South Africans are infringed and abused.

By Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 June 2012

Corruption and inhumanity at Maitland Home Affairs

Everyday about a thousand asylum seekers queue outside the Maitland Refugee Reception Centre off Voortrekker Road. They try to get the papers they need to stay in the country legally so that they can avoid prison, fines and deportation.

GroundUp Reporters

News | 29 May 2012

How the asylum seeking process can be improved

How can the intolerable situations at the Home Affairs refugees centres be improved? We make some suggestions.

GroundUp Editor

News | 29 May 2012

Why we paid a bribe

GroundUp is a tiny and new news organisation. Less than two months into our existence, before we have even officially launched, we have faced our first tough ethical dilemna: whether or not to pay a bribe.

GroundUp Editor

News | 29 May 2012

How immigrants are scammed at Maitland Home Affairs

GroundUp received several allegations that bribes are commonplace at Maitland Refugee Reception Centre. We decided to investigate.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 29 May 2012

Protest against xenophobia and homophobia

Gay rights groups and PASSOP commemorated International Day Against Homophobia and International Xenophobia Day at Observatory Hall.

Veronica Washaya

News | 17 May 2012

Home Affairs office turns away asylum seekers because it runs out of paper

The Maitland office of Home Affairs is turning away asylum seekers daily because it is running out of paper.

Veronica Washaya

News | 17 April 2012

Disgruntled asylum seekers protest at Maitland Home Affairs

Hundreds of disgruntled asylum seekers, who have been turned away for several months without assistance, demonstrated on Friday at the Maitland Home Affairs premises.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 17 April 2012