Foreigners have more rights than SA citizens

Zululand Business Against Crime Manager - Alwyn Kruger examines temporary asylum seekers permits from foreign nationals being questioned in the ‘Little Burundi’ green belt area while a CRG security officer looks on

Tanya
Waterworth

THE rights of foreigners living in South Africa came under scrutiny at a meeting of authorities regarding ‘undocumented persons’.

The meeting, which was attended by police, judiciary and Department of Home Affairs officials and the shipping industry, highlighted the fact that many foreigners from neighbouring countries are in fact ‘documented persons’ as the majority hold ‘temporary asylum seeker’ permits.
Home Affairs have confirmed that up to 300 such permits are issued per day from the Durban office.
According to South African law, any person seeking refugee status in the country can fill in the permit and is not required to provide any proof of identity or country of origin details.
Such refugee is not required to provide a fixed address and no fingerprints are taken. No investigation may be made into the background of that person, even though he or she could be a wanted criminal in their home country.

Lengthy process
It was agreed at the meeting that this gives foreigners more rights than any South African citizen currently enjoys.
‘Even if a foreigner is arrested in South Africa for a criminal offence, he or she may not be deported until the full process of applying for asylum has been made, which can be a lengthy process,’ said a Home Affairs spokesperson.
Police also suspect that organised crime syndicates recruit foreigners for criminal activity as their fingerprints have never been recorded.
On arrival in South Africa, they have no means of income and no place to stay.
At the meeting both police and security companies confirmed that the greenbelts surrounding Richards Bay are swarming with foreigners, particularly Tanzanians and Nigerians.
Tanzania is currently not considered to be a country in turmoil, which would necessitate asylum seeker permits being issued.
Concern had been raised regarding criminal activity by foreigners living in the greenbelt areas in and around Richards Bay.
This year a number of foreigners have been arrested, particularly with regard to stowing away on vessels, housebreaking and drug-related offences.
Other concerns coming under the spotlight at previous meetings included health risks and the vulnerability of South Africa in terms of security with the approaching 2010 World Cup soccer.
While issues discussed at the meeting are being taken to provincial level, it was agreed that South African law would have to change in order to solve the current influx of foreigners.