On Monday 15 October 2007, hundreds of Zimbabwean Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cape Town have been joined by other Asylum Seekers from countries like Congo in a peaceful demonstration at Customs House, Foreshore. The demand was that they be granted asylum permits in time.
Tens of thousands of Zimbabwean refugees have been denied their constitutional right to apply for political asylum in South Africa. Among them are Widows, Orphans, and the Poor. They have nowhere to go. They have nowhere to appeal. Police harass and arrest them for not having permits. Employers don’t give them work. Majority of South Africans both black and White despise them. Even Churches don’t even care to speak up for them. South African Christians are not interested in their plight, they love Mugabe more than their oppressed brothers and sisters.
Is anyone immune from experiencing injustices in this unjust world? Why don’t you care for the oppressed? Some South African officials are thoroughly corrupt and don’t even care to give Zimbabweans asylum permits.
Most Zimbabwean refugees are required to pay bribes in order to get political asylum in South Africa. If you visit Customs House in Foreshore Cape town you will see that the place is congested with desperate immigrants. Go day after day you will see the same people waiting for permits. Home Affairs officials are alleged to be working with well known agencies who take bribes of between R600 and R1000 from asylum seekers.
Those few who get refugee status find it difficult to get IDs or Passports. Some have been waiting for IDs for more than six months.
Refugee group leader, Braam Hanekom said, "The majority of the refugees have been battling to get documents for more than 10 years and this is despite the fact that they are genuine asylum seekers escaping from persecution back home." (Cape Times 15/10/2007)
What is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing. Together we can make a difference write letters to South African Embassy near you to protest abuse of Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Or Write to: Jacky Mashapu (Acting Head of Communication) Email: Jacky.Mashapu@dha.gov.za;
Lebogang Maenetja Communicator E-mail: Lebogang.Maenetja@dha.gov.za
Take Action now. Time has run out refugees are suffering in South Africa.
Yours For freedom & Justice,
Collen Makumbirofa
Foundation of Reason & Justice
zimnews@mail.com
http://forjustice.atspace.org
Foundation of Reason & Justice shall exist to defend the cause of the poor, refugees, and Asylum Seekers. For the past for years we have been exposing gross human rights abuses and State atrocities in Zimbabwe.
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