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Central Methodist Mission
The Department of the Interior has started the deportation process of 20 foreigners who were part of a group of asylum seekers and refugees who protested in front of the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cape Town last year. past.
The group wanted UNHCR to facilitate their transfer to other countries, but not to their home countries, following the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. After police arrived on the scene and chaos broke out, the group of about 100 people spent months in Greenmarket Square and occupied the Central Methodist Church until April 2020 before being relocated to a camp in the city due to Covid-19.
In a statement, the department said: “The deportation of the 20 foreigners followed due process and was upheld by the court on November 2-3, 2020 in terms of the country’s immigration laws. The affected foreigners have already been transferred. to the Lindela Repatriation Center for deportation purposes. “
READ | Greenmarket Square refugees reject Cape Town’s offer of reintegration
The department added that 12 foreign nationals, including a leader of the group, Aline Bukuru, were expected to appear in court on Friday.
Meanwhile, the department has condemned an attack on foreign shop owners in Durban this week.
“We wish to remind citizens that there are foreign nationals who are in the country legally and who can conduct business under the terms of the applicable laws of the country. As such, they should not be the target of unjust attacks simply because of their nationality,” said the Department.
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