Migration News - March 2000

March 2000

• Business Day (03-31) says that the government’s recent announcement that the SA Human Rights Commission (HRC) not “undermine their anti-crime campaign” reflects their inability to bear critical scrutiny. The commentary suggests that even though crime is, and should remain an important issue for the government, the police and other officials cannot be allowed to overstep the mark by harassing and exploiting vulnerable migrants. The HRC and the Independent Complaints Directorate, suggests the commentary, can be more assertive in keeping the government in check by conducting spontaneous searches of police stations where abuses have occurred.

• Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg 03-31) Enoch Sithole, the former head of the South African Broadcasting Corporation is being investigated by the Department of Home Affairs after receiving information from Sithole’s ex-partner that Sithole obtained citizenship papers and South African identity documents fraudulently.

•  Mail & Guardian (03-31) writes that the police detained more than a 1000 persons during a nationwide ‘crime crackdown’. A majority of persons who were apprehended were suspected to be ‘illegal immigrants.’

•  Independent Online (03-31) reports that police have arrested more than 300 people from the Vaal Triangle under Operation Crackdown. In another raid, also a part of the same operation, the police detained 92 suspected ‘illegal immigrants’ in the West Rand. Similarly, in Eastern Cape, 17 ‘illegal immigrants’ were arrested.

• Zimbabwe Independent Online (03-31) has dismissed reports, which suggest that nearly half of Zimbabwe’s white population will be eligible to obtain British passports. Similarly, it has refuted claims that suggest that “tens of thousands of people are trying to get back into Zimbabwe.”

• Daily News Online (03-31) Addressing the 56^th Session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Botswana’s Permanent Representative to the UN Joseph Legwaila has stated that immigration and asylum policies adopted by several countries discriminate against people because of their race and nationality. Mr. Legwaila observed that while many countries continue to use migrant labour, the treatment of foreign labour was often “below human standards.” He encouraged governments to work towards eliminating xenophobia, racism, and racial discrimination.

• Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg, 03-31) Responding to the government’s recent draft Immigration Bill, Ann Bernstein, the Director of the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has asked the government to abandon the quota system it currently uses for the entry of skilled migrants into South Africa. Based on its research on international migration policies, the CDE has observed that the White Paper on International Migration is “not good enough” because it is based on a “defence-oriented” policy that seeks largely to limit clandestine migration. The result, observes the CDE, is that the positive role that migration, especially skilled immigration can play in enhancing economic growth remains overlooked. “We need to adopt a clear, unambiguous migration policy”, states Bernstein, and has called for the easing of restrictions on the entry of skilled and semi-skilled migrants. This recommendation has also been endorsed by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which wants the government to scrap “protectionist-style measures” and allow foreign mine workers to be allowed into South Africa. The CDE has also asked the government to reconsider its decision to impose training fees on companies employing migrants, and issuing work permits based on ‘need’. Moreover, CDE has asked the new Immigration Review Board to adopt a transparent process, and has further proposed that all skilled and educated foreigners should be granted works permits.

• Business Day (03-30) Reacting to the recent concern raised by the SA Human Rights Commission against the ill-treatment of ‘illegal immigrants’ in recent police blitzes in Gauteng, the cabinet has warned the commission that it “risks damaging its credibility” by criticizing the police actions. A government spokesperson has stated that the HRC “was creating the impression of being sympathetic towards illegal immigrants’. The spokesperson has also revealed that the government wants to hold regular meetings with the HRC to ensure that they do not work as ‘cross-purposes’.

• Sapa (03-30) On 19 November 1999, a committee was established by the Free State legislature to examine the employment and living conditions of farm workers in the Free State. Headed by Tutu Ralane, this committee would hold public meetings in Vrede, Kroonstad, Hoopstad, Excelsior and Koffiefontein in early April to “ensure optimum consultation and broad public involvement”. Written inputs were also to be taken into consideration. Moreover, the committee would look into the problem of very low wages and exploitation of these labourers by some farmers. The committee is expected to disclose its findings by the end of May.

• Sapa (03-30) reports that Department of Home Affairs is going to increase the application fees for work and study permits as well as permanent resident status from 1 April, 2000. Criticizing this decision, DP home affairs spokesperson Mike Waters stated that the exorbitant fees charged by the department was meant to “detract skilled foreigners from coming to South Africa,” making South Africa one of the most expensive immigration destinations globally. He also criticized the poor quality of services provided by the Dept. The application fees have risen from R5580 in 1996 to R7750 in 1998.

• Sapa (03-30) In Pretoria, the police organized a two-day initiative as a part of Operation Monazite in order to reduce crime, and arrested 87 ‘illegal immigrants’. They were being detained in various prisons all over Pretoria and would be deported shortly. Additional arrests were made for possession of drugs, prostitution, theft and robbery.

• Sapa (03-30) In their efforts to combat crime, the police organized Operation Crackdown throughout South Africa. The police also detained 135 so-called ‘illegal immigrants’ in Mpumalanga as a part of this initiative. A police spokesperson in Mooi River, Captain L. Jacobs stated that “offenders of less serious crimes were arrested in an attempt to deter them from turning to more serious crime.”

• Sapa, Independent Online (03-30) The Mpumalanga police arrested more than 130 ‘illegal immigrants’ as a part of Operation Crackdown, a new policing endeavor to check crime. Most of the arrests were made near the Kruger National Park in the Lowveld area. Most of the detainees, to be deported shortly, were believed to be migrants from Mozambique. A number of additional arrests were made for robbery, drugs, and assault. The acting commissioner of Lowveld Nicholas Kelly stated that this operation was meant as a clear warning to “criminals that the security services will come down hard on them, to ensure a safe environment for the citizens of the country.”

• Sapa (Johannesburg, 03-30) reports that more than a thousand persons were detained in the first two days of Operation Crackdown. These included 135 alleged ‘illegal immigrants’ who were apprehended in the Mpumalanga region.

• Business Day (03-30) Farouk Chothia writes that the cabinet has criticized the HRC for undermining the government initiative to tackle crime in South Africa. A government spokesperson has stated that the HRC was “creating the impression of being sympathetic” towards undocumented immigrants, which would harm their credibility in the eyes of the public. The government was responding to the concern voiced by the HRC chairperson Pityana and commissioner Kollapen over the mistreatment of migrants by the police during recent raids in Gauteng.

• Sapa (Johannesburg, 03-30) Under Operation Crackdown, the police detained 212 persons on the West Rand, including 92 suspected ‘illegal immigrants.’

• Luanda TPA Television (03-30) reports that even though the numbers of Angolans who are being displaced internally is increasing, the World Food Program has food supplies only for the next two months. Many humanitarian groups and organizations have gathered in Angola to discuss means by which the situation can be improved.

• Botswana Daily News Online (03-29) Screen expatriates for HIV/AIDs before employing them. This demand has been made by the residents of a Boteti sub-district settlement of Kharapa, who claim that emigrants returning to Botswana have contributed to the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS.

• Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg 03-29) In ‘practice rounds’ for Operation Crackdown, the police searched ‘high-crime areas’ all the over the country, arresting 14 ‘illegal immigrants’ in Soweto. In Johannesburg, 61 suspected ‘illegal immigrants’ were detained.

• Sapa (Johannesburg 03-29) A ‘crime-prevention crackdown’ in the suburbs of Johannesburg has led to the arrest of 144 suspected ‘illegal immigrants’. It is believed that the migrants will be repatriated shortly.

• Sapa (Johannesburg 03-29) Operation Crackdown has received criticism from several quarters despite the ‘large-scale successes’ claimed by the police. The Democratic Party leader Tony Leon, for instance, has criticized the National Police Commissioner Selebi’s approach of adopting ‘sporadic blitzes’. Leon said that preventing crime requires “constant policing of every area, all the time”.

• The Post (Lusaka 03-29) Two foreign nationals, including a Tanzanian and a citizen of DRC, appeared in a magistrate’s court in Lusaka. A 31 year-old Zambian woman had accused the two men of breaking into her home and allegedly raping her.

• The Namibian (Johannesburg 03-29) Continued fighting between Unita and the Angolan armed forces is likely to result in a fresh influx of refugees into Zambia. This announcement was made by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) which said that 4597 refugees have been moved to a new camp in Nangweshi in March. Similarly, the UNHCR has transported about 2100 Angolan refugees to safe places.

• The Namibian (03-28) A recent report by Amnesty International has revealed numerous human rights violations by the Namibian government. The UNHCR has disclosed that nearly 50 Angolan refugees went missing late last year after they arrived in Namibia. Similarly, Amnesty International reports that a number of Angolan women refugees at the Osire camp near Windhoek complained about their missing spouses who had crossed the border into Namibia.

• WOZA (03-28) The Democratic Party has apparently claimed that there are “eight million illegal immigrants” in South Africa (without saying where it gets these outlandish figures). It has urged the government to establish an inter-ministerial team to supervise the early return of these migrants. In recent ‘clean-up operations’ conducted by the police in Hillbrow and Berea, 1030 ‘illegal immigrants’ were arrested. The party home affairs spokesperson Waters said that these raids clearly indicated the need for a “far more coherent, coordinated approach to crime-busting initiative.” He added that the present strength of the Dept. of Home Affairs could not cope with the task of deporting the large number of migrants in South Africa, and stated that migrants were a financial burden for South African taxpayers.

• Sapa (03-28) Under ‘Operation Crackdown,’ the police arrested 21 ‘illegal immigrants’ from the West Rand, East Rand and in the Vaal Triangle. A police spokesperson revealed that out of the 15 migrants detained by the police, 10 were arrested in Tembisia, and a number of stolen vehicles were also recovered. In addition, the police confiscated stolen goods, drugs and weapons.

• Sapa (03-28) The police arrested 14 ‘illegal immigrants’ during a ‘huge crime swoop’ in Soweto. The police also confiscated a large quantity of dagga, searching cars and raiding illegal casinos. A number of people were also arrested for illegal gambling.

• Sapa (Johannesburg 03-28) Despite HRC’s criticism of Operation Crackdown against ‘illegal immigrants’ and asylum-seekers in Johannesburg, Minister of Safety and Security Tshwete has said that the police will not apologize for the detentions, and that it was important for him to “clean up the country”. “We are going to do what is right and correct and is done in other countries,” he added. He also said that the community had the obligation of supporting the endeavors of the police.

• PanAfrican News Agency (Blantyre 03-28) Malawian truck drivers driving from South African ports have expressed their alarm over the recent attacks on them by a ‘gang of robbers’ in Mozambique. The Mozambican route via Zimbabwe, is the shortest one from Durban, and most imported goods are transported from Durban to the rest of Malawi. In recent days, a trucker was shot dead while hauling goods from South African ports.

• Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg 03-27) Based on a two-week study in Namibia by researchers in January and February, a Amnesty International report has accused Namibian and Angolan security forces as well as UNITA for violating the rights of citizens and residents. The report has criticized the Namibian government for returning Angolan refugees as ‘illegal immigrants’ without giving them an opportunity to ask for asylum. Many Angolan citizens have also ‘disappeared without a trace.’

• The Namibian (03-27) According to the UNHCR, continued fighting in the Caprivi region has caused 866 Namibians, many of them San people from Omega, Omega Three, and Chetto, to flee to Botswana this year. There are now 2556 Namibian refugees in the Dukwe camp in Botswana. During the month of March, some 350 Namibians and Angolans have sought asylum in Botswana due to measures taken by Unita forces, and counter-measures by Namibian security personnel. Many people have entered Botswana through Shakawe, while others are using different points of entry.

• The Namibian (03-27) A UNHCR representative in Pretoria, M. Kebede has expressed concern that the Namibian government has expelled nearly 700 Angolan refugees in recent weeks. Kebede has stated that the Namibian government should reconsider its decision to deport Angolans, who deserve to be allowed to stay in Namibian on humanitarian grounds as refugees affected by war. The continued deportations, according to Kebede, will increase the numbers of internally displaced persons in Angola. He has added that refugees have often not been deported to their places of origin, and have been left instead at places convenient for Namibian authorities. Confirming the recent deportations, a Namibian government spokesperson Asino has stated that “if they are in Namibia illegally, they are deported” adding that the deportees had not applied for asylum or reported themselves to the UNHCR or to local authorities.

• Sapa (03-27) According to Steve Mabona, Mpumalanga’s safety and security MEC, 144 organized crime syndicates are currently operating in the province, including those that facilitate the smuggling of drugs between Mozambique and Gauteng. He said that the syndicates are also involved in other criminal activities like weapon smuggling, cross-border vehicle smuggling, counterfeiting currency and government corruption. In December, the police launched Operation Run Criminal to target gangs operating in rural KwaMhlanga. “We need to begin exposing the criminal syndicates which are operating at the heart of our communities,” he added.

• Sapa (03-27) The Democratic Party has stated that Malawian immigrants who were arrested in the recent raids in Johannesburg will have to be deported at “enormous cost to taxpayers.” Spokesperson Mike Waters suggested that South Africa and SADC had to adopt a “more consistent approach” to clandestine migration. He pointed out that the Dept. of Home Affairs had ignored logistical problems involved in deportations and had only 235 people dealing with “illegal immigrants”.

• Sapa (03-27) UN estimates indicate that around 536,000 persons have been displaced as a result of the floods in Mozambique and the numbers of displaced persons are increasing rapidly. Responding to this crisis, the IMF has approved a 50 million dollars credit for Mozambique.

• Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone 03-27) reports that a ‘foreign man of Asian origin’ fled the country after being charged for allegedly sexually molesting four young boys.

• Africa News Online (Malawi 03-27) In its efforts to enhance national security, the Malawian government began the process of issuing identity cards for its citizens about two years ago. The identity-cards scheme was introduced after 40 ‘illegal immigrants’ from Tanzania and Zambia tried to obtain Malawian passports by bribing immigration officials. Now, the Anti-Corruption bureau is investigating charges of corruption by senior government officials in the identity-cards scheme.

• Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone 03-27) A Motswana of Irish origin Dennis Coghlan is being investigated by the Botswana government for his alleged involvement in the Angolan conflict. Coghlan has suggested that many UNITA activists have sought asylum and citizenship in southern African countries by claiming to be refugees. He also claimed that several Angolan refugees turned Namibian citizens had recently sold diamonds to Canadians in the U.S. for UNITA.

• City Press editor Khulu Sebiya (03-26) has termed clandestine migration to South Africa as an “endless problem” which persists despite the arrest of thousands of ‘illegal immigrants’ in Johannesburg last week. The editor adds that deportations have been ineffective because migrants have returned soon after being expelled. The editorial suggests that the “flood of immigrants” into South Africa was created by “problems in many African states,” and the solution was to make the African Renaissance a success.

• Sunday Times (Gauteng 03-26) Recent attempts by the government in Malawi to check vote-rigging by introducing identity cards to its citizens have ended with charges of irregularities in the issuing of these cards. The Anti-Corruption Bureau is now investigating a number of officials in the ministries of Home Affairs, Finance and Reserve Bank for corruption. The identity-cards scheme was adopted after more than 40 ‘illegal immigrants’ from Tanzania and Zimbabwe were arrested for bribing officials to obtain Malawian passports.

• Dispatch (East London 03-25) reports that the police carried out an exercise in East London similar to that conducted in Hillbrow in which “scores of illegal immigrants, drug dealers and street hustlers” were arrested or sent to repatriation centres. A Nigerian citizen and his partner were arrested in Haven Hills for possessing a small quantity of dagga, and suspected illegal trading. Another Nigerian citizen and friend were arrested for alleged possession of drugs.

• Daily News (03-24) A number of Namibian refugees who had been detained in May last year by the Botswana government after ‘misbehaving, influencing others against voluntary repatriation, and absconding’ from the Dukwe refugee camp have been released. This was revealed in a press statement from the Office of the President, which emphasized that international policies for the protection of asylum-seekers also imposed responsibilities on the refugees to observe the laws of the host country.

• The Times of Zambia (Lusaka 03-24) reveals that the Kitwe police detained 47 ‘illegal immigrants’ from various parts of the country in recent days. Last month, the immigration department had arrested 164 undocumented migrants. A department public relations officer indicated that the department would “deal ruthlessly” with persons who defied the Zambian immigration laws.

• Independent Online (03-24) reports that the Pretoria police organized an anti-crime operation as a part of Operation Monozite. The police arrested 457 suspected ‘illegal immigrants’ and recovered dagga and other items in large quantities. Several people were also arrested for robbery, vehicle theft, and kidnapping.

• The Post (03-24) While attending a workshop organized by the national associations of women in business in Lusaka, a COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) Women in Business expert revealed that many women were already engaged in cross-border trade. She added that COMESA’s Free Trade Area should not be perceived as a barrier for this trade.

• Dispatch (Gaborone 03-24) An Irish born man is being investigated by the Botswanan authorities for allegedly providing supplies to Angola’s Unita rebels and violating UN sanctions. Dennis Coghlan, the accused has revealed that Unita activists, claiming to be refugees had been planted in southern African countries, where they sold diamonds to raise funds for Unita.

• Independent Online (03-23) reveals that as a part of Operation Monozite, the Pretoria police arrested 204 people in Sunnyside, of which 161 were suspected ‘illegal immigrants’. This operation was similar to the one conducted recently in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. The police also recovered stolen vehicles, drugs, weapons, and other household items. This operation is expected to continue indefinitely.

• Sapa-AFP (03-23) Anti-corruption bureau in Malawi has revealed several irregularities in the awarding of contracts to international companies by the government. In particular, the bureau is investigating the questionable role and corruption scam by selected high-ranking government officials in the ministries of finance and home affairs involved in a deal to produce identity cards. The multi-million dollar deal to produce 11 million national identity cards for Malawians had been given to a Swiss firm with a much higher bid than that offered a British firm.

• Business Times (03-23) Don Robertson reports that the building industry in South Africa has not made much progress, and is suffering due to several factors. One of the factors identified by Robinson, the chief executive of the Building Industries Federation of SA (BIFSA), is the supposed presence of “5-10 million illegal immigrants” employed in the building industry, contributing largely to SA’s “escalating unemployment crisis.” Since the building industry employs less than 500,000 people, these figures are highly suspect.

• PanAfrican News Agency (Gaborone 03-23) writes that Botswana has released a number of Namibian refugees who had been detained last year. The release of the refugees can be seen as a goodwill exercise on the part of the Botswana government in order to improve relations with Namibia. The relations between the two countries have been strained since the influx of refugees from Caprivi into Botswana since 1988, especially due to Botswana’s refusal until very recently to repatriate these refugees.

• PanAfrican News Agency (Mbabane 03-23) reports that the Mozambican government has asked Swaziland to be prepared for a new influx of refugees displaced as a result of the recent floods in central and southern Mozambique. It is estimated that the floods have displaced nearly one million people. The Swazi government had provided asylum to Mozambicans affected by war in the recent past.

• Dispatch (Johannesburg 03-23) The Federal Alliance has criticized the SA Human Rights Commission for “interfering” in the role and function of the police and government after the HRC visited the Lindela transit camp to determine the treatment of ‘illegal immigrants’ detained there. The migrants had been apprehended after police raids in selected suburbs of Johannesburg last week. “For once the South African police had acted without fear or favour to arrest illegal immigrants,” said FA spokesperson Jan Bosman, adding that the HRC has been “very quiet on the subject of illegal immigrants interfering and transgressing the rights of South Africans”.

• Pan-African News Agency (03-21) In one of the largest police operations against crime in South Africa - Operation Crackdown, the police arrested more than 7000 persons in and around Johannesburg, and recovered drugs worth more than a million US dollars. Most of the detainees are alleged to be ‘illegal immigrants,’ lacking relevant immigration documents. The apprehended persons were sent to repatriation centres near Johannesburg and are expected to be deported shortly. Steve Tshwete, the Minister for Safety and Security, has refuted claims that Operation Crackdown was the result of xenophobia on the part of the government and police. This denial follows allegations by the Human Rights Commission that police had exercised excessive force against ‘illegal immigrants’ in areas like Hillbrow and Berea, with large numbers of migrants. Tshwete added that border controls would be strengthened as well to prevent the return of deported migrants.

• Dispatch (03-23) Following last week’s ‘crime crackdown’ in Hillbrow, the police sent over 7000 persons to the Lindela transit camp. The deportation centre has been designed to hold around 4500 persons, and while it generally houses between 2000-2500 individuals at one time, it is now having to accommodate nearly 4000 suspected ‘illegal immigrants’. The result is that the camp is overcrowded with “hungry babies, frustrated visitors, harassed officials, angry foreigners and a strong police presence”. Although officials are preparing for additional detainees, an official at the camp stated that many migrants were sent directly to the transit camp without their documents, preventing officials from verifying their nationality and current status. Some 400 persons had been released after their documents were found to be valid. A large number of persons had been deported, including 1600 persons to Zimbabwe, 500 to Mozambique, and about 130 persons were to be deported shortly to Nigeria.

• Dispatch (03-21) While presenting the 1998/99 report to the media, Barney Pityana, the chairperson of the SA Human Rights Commission criticized the government for routinely ignoring the commission’s recommendations. Some of the work of the commission during this period dealt with racism in the media, and human rights violations of undocumented migrants housed in the Lindela deportation centre near Krugersdorp.

• WOZA/Sapa (03-21) After last week’s police operations in Johannesburg, which resulted in the arrest of many ‘illegal immigrants,’ the SAHRC has announced that the commission along with the Coordinating Body of Refugee Communities (CBRC), and the National Consortium on Refugee Affairs (NCRA) would send representatives regularly to the Lindela Repatriation centre. This action would allow these organizations to assist detained migrants who may have legitimate claims to refugee status. Criticizing the fact that the recent operations had been directed more or less against undocumented Africans, the HRC condemned the authorities for arresting people in an arbitrary and unfair manner. It was revealed that the authorities often depended largely on physical features and language to identify migrants. In a public meeting for its Roll Back Xenophobia Campaign, the SAHRC expressed its concern over the quick expulsion of arrested persons, which prevented them from establishing their nationality, and was a violation of their basic rights. The HRC indicated that it would send in volunteers to monitor future anti-crime operations, and asked to Dept of Home Affairs to release lists of detainees at Lindela on a regular basis to the commission. Finally, the commission denounced recent statements on migrants and immigrants in South Africa made by Safety and Security minister Tshwete.

• Sapa (03-20) Steve Tshwete, the Minister for Safety and Security, and Jackie Selebi, police commissioner have denied reports that apprehended ‘illegal immigrants’ were subjected to violence during recent anti-crime operations in Hillbrow, Berea and adjoining areas. “There is no issue of human rights” in this operation, Selebi added, while Tshwete stated that “it was irresponsible to accuse the police of abusing illegal immigrants.” The denial follows a recent visit by the SAHRC to the Lindela repatriation centre in the West Rand, where the 3000 odd detained migrants are being held. Although “reasonably satisfied” with the conditions at Lindela, the HRC expressed its grave concern at the “search and seizure procedures” used against the immigrants and asylum-seekers. The chairperson of the commission, Barney Pityana said that many of the arrests were unwarranted, resulting in overcrowding in the Lindela Repatriation Centre, which can only house 2000 persons. In a statement, the Home Affairs dept. apologized to those who had been arrested, but indicated that they were only “fulfilling” their responsibility to the terms of the Aliens Control Act. In addition, the Gauteng premier Shilowa congratulated the police in “sending a strong message to criminals” and “for the humane manner in which they treated people” during the operations.

• Sapa (03-20) The SA Human Rights Commissioner Judy Kollapen, along with the chairperson Barney Pityana visited the ‘illegal immigrants’ being detained at the Lindela deportation centre in Krugersdorp to examine the conditions prevailing there. The HRC also went to investigate widespread charges of human rights violations and the alleged abuse of arrested migrants by the police. Pityana revealed that the facility was overcrowded with “long queues of visitors waiting in the rain” infringing on the basic rights of the detainees. He criticized the tardiness of the Home Affairs dept. in renewing the work and residence permits of migrants, which according to Pityana resulted in the migrants being arrested in the first place. Similarly, Kollapen indicated the arrests of migrants and their subsequent deportations by the police failed to be effective because many of them returned shortly after their expulsion from South Africa. A Dept. of Home Affairs spokesperson, on the other hand, stated that the department wanted to treat refugees and asylum-seekers fairly, but was constrained by the widespread use of forged identity documents.

• ZBC Radio (03-20) reports that the South African immigration officials have deported at least 1500 undocumented Zimbabwean migrants while others, according to the Beit Bridge police will be produced in court. Some 6000 persons have been deported from the country in the past two months. The deportations were the result of a large number of raids conducted by the police in Hillbrow and Johannesburg to reduce the “crime rate in that country”.

• Sapa (03-20) In an operation organized by SAPS, SA National Defence Force and Home Affairs in Hillbrow, Berea and nearby areas, the police arrested around 7068 ‘illegal immigrants’ and some of them were returned to their countries as well. On the last day of this operation, the Minister for Safety and Security Tshwete addressed reporters in Johannesburg and stated that the police would definitely continue in their efforts to arrest undocumented migrants and increase border controls to prevent their return. “If you want to come to South Africa, you must get proper documents, this is not a Banana Republic” he added. He also warned businesses and farmers against employing undocumented migrants.

• The Post (03-20) For a second year, the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) is going to financially assist the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for their program to help refugees from the DRC in Northern Province. This year, ECHO will provide 1.5 million Euro towards this project, supervised by the Red Cross. This project will also provide services and protection to 25,000 Congolese refugees at Mwange camp in Mporokoso district.

• Independent (03-18) The Home Affairs minister Buthelezi expressed concern about the “number of aliens not qualifying for immigration permits and then marrying S.A. citizens” to remain in the country. He added that issue of ‘illegal immigrants’ was important for the department and that the “matter was being extensively investigated.” The report cites the misleading HSRC 1996 study on the large numbers of ‘illegal immigrants’ in South Africa.

• Dispatch (East London 03-18) reports that a citizen of Nigeria has been detained in Cambridge prison by the organized crime unit for alleged possession of drugs.

• Mmegi/The Reporter, Africa News Online (Gaborone 03-17) The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has denied allegations that it is “pestering” Mmegi because of a report, which suggested that the Department of Immigration and private consultants were involved in an immigration scam. The director of the DCEC indicated that they were only seeking the assistance of the Mmegi in this matter.

• Dispatch (Grahamstown 03-17) The Director of the MTN Centre for Crime Prevention Studies Mark Wellman has stated that the high levels of crime in South Africa has made it the “second most dangerous country” in the world after Colombia. He warned that as a result of the high crime rates and costs, “most of the country’s skilled labour force would leave.”

• DailyNews Online (03-17) In Botswana, MPs have warned the government to be “on the lookout for foreigners” who come to take “advantage of its cheap medical facilities”. Health services are expensive in other countries and foreigners often come to Botswana mostly to use the facilities. It was suggested by the acting Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration that people should be asked to produce their Omang at the government health centres.

• Sapa (03-17) reports that the Minister for Home Affairs Buthelezi is going to “request” the dept. to withdraw its appeal against a recent High Court decision dealing with the rights of foreign spouses of South African citizens. The court had ruled that it was unconstitutional for the department to insist that immigration applications be filed from outside the country especially if the applicant was residing in South Africa at the time of filing the application. It also ruled that it was unconstitutional for the dept. to impose the R10020 non-refundable fee on residence applications filed by foreign partners.  

• Sapa (03-17) A United Nations assessment team, including officials from the World Food Program, the UNHCR, and the UN Children’s Fund is going to visit Angola shortly to provide humanitarian assistance to 1.7 million Angolans who have been affected by the fighting. They are the IDPs or internally displaced persons, who have fled their homes, but unlike the refugees they remain displaced within Angola. According to UN estimates, there are between 20 and 25 million IDPs and a majority of these are in Africa. However, while IDPs are entitled to the same protection as refugees, the UNHCR’s is only able to provide resources and assistance to about 5 million IDPs. The UN team will visit the two cities of Huambo and Kuito where most of the displaced Angolans live between 18-23 March.

• Business Day (03-16) An anti-crime operation devised by the national police commissioner Jackie Selebi will target the 124 crime ‘hotspots’ in South Africa. This nation-wide operation will be carried out with the help of other government departments, including the revenue services, home affairs, and departments dealing with justice, security, and crime prevention. “Crime combating zones’ have been identified around 124 police stations in the country, and these areas will be the focus of ‘intensive policing’. Aimed at reducing crime levels in South Africa in the next three years, the operation resulted in a ‘police blitz’ in Hillbrow recently, during which 1300 ‘illegal immigrants’ were arrested. 58 persons were also apprehended for theft, prostitution, and possession of weapons, drugs, and stolen goods. A ‘crime combating task team’ including officials from various government departments has been setup for each of the selected areas, and raids, similar to the one conducted in Hillbrow are planned for different areas. The deputy police commissioner Andre Pruis stated that these identified zones account for “50 percent of the national crime statistics.”

• Sapa (03-16) The Democratic Party (DP) has complained that despite assurances by Home Affairs minister Buthelezi, the department has not yet withdrawn its appeal against a High Court ruling on foreign spouses. The appeal came after the High Court ruled that the R10020 application fee levied by the department for partners of South African citizens applying for permanent resident status was unconstitutional. The DP, based on information provided by a ‘leading immigration lawyer’ revealed that Home Affairs was planning to go ahead with the appeal process. DP home affairs spokesperson Mike Waters said that the situation was creating ‘confusion, uncertainty and frustration’ among those affected by the ruling.

• Independent Online (03-16) reports that the slowness of the Department of Home Affairs in renewing the refugee status of many asylum-seekers makes them vulnerable to arrests and harassment by the police. A few days ago, it is reported, Home Affairs officials closed their offices early when they were unable to cope with the large number of applicants. Many refugees have been living for days outside the offices of Home Affairs to renew their documents. Recent raids conducted by the police in Hillbrow have created a lot of anxiety among the refugee community. Responding to this situation, Lawyers for Human Rights have indicated that they may ask to Human Rights Commission to look into the Hillbrow raids.

• Pretoria News, Sapa (03-16, 03-15) Responding to a question in the National Assembly, the Minister for Home Affairs Buthelezi disclosed that 183,861 undocumented migrants were deported from South Africa in 1999. He also suggested that “very few, if any aliens were hurt” during detention by the department.

• Sowetan (03-16) reveals that the police arrested at least 1300 ‘illegal immigrants’ from the Hillbrow and Berea areas in Johannesburg. A much smaller number of additional arrests were made for theft, prostitution, and possession of drugs, counterfeit money, weapons, and stolen goods. The police ‘blitz’ are likely to continue, it is reported.

• Sapa (03-15) A police raid conducted in Hillbrow and Berea has led to the detention of more than 1300 ‘illegal immigrants’. Additional arrests were made for theft, prostitution, drugs and counterfeit money. The raids are going to continue in the next few days.

• The Citizen (03-15) Johannesburg police spokesperson Wilken has stated that the ‘anti-crime blitz’ in Hillbrow has proved to be a very successful operation because of the large number of arrests and the cooperation of the community. The raids led to the apprehension and deportation of 666 ‘illegal immigrants,’ and Wilken revealed that more arrests were likely as the operation continued in the next few days.

• Sapa (03-15) In a crime-prevention operation organized during December-February 1999-2000 throughout the Free State, 7479 persons were detained, including two ‘illegal immigrants’.

• The Namibian (03-15) During the debate on International Cooperation in Criminal Matters Bill in the Namibian national council, a Swapo MP suggested that some “unknown foreigners” intend to “obtain (Namibian) identification documents through marriage and religious practices and employment.” Criticizing the fact that authorities did not investigate these foreigners, he revealed that “unknown foreigners” were a “threat to national security” and could be “perpetrators of criminal acts” in their own countries.

• Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg 03-14) The Department of Home Affairs has asked for public input into a new draft bill Immigration Bill, which seeks to ease restrictions on the entry of skilled and wealthy potential immigrants. The emphasis of the new draft bill is on economic growth by facilitating foreign investment unlike the previous White Paper on International Migration that focused narrowly on ‘illegal, generally unskilled migrants’. After wide ranging consultations with other government departments, and organizations like United States INS and SA Chamber of Mines, the bill proposes the introduction of a series of new categories of work permits to be issued to foreigners, including ‘investor and self-employed person’s permit’, ‘exceptional skills or qualifications permit’, an ‘intra-company transfer permit’ and ‘corporate’ permits.

• Dispatch (Capetown 03-14) Home Affairs Minister Buthelezi informed Parliament that the department spends R35 million annually on deportations, and that 183,861 ‘illegal immigrants’ were deported in 1999. In 1998, 181,286 ‘illegal immigrants’ were deported and many of them were deported to Mozambique (78%), Zimbabwe (16%) and Lesotho (3%). On the other hand, 5029 South Africans officially emigrated out of the country, including 197 engineers.

• Dispatch (Capetown 03-14) Home Affairs minister Buthelezi has ordered his department to process applications by businesses for work permits for “essential skilled staff” within six weeks. This action is in response to recent criticism of the department for delaying approval of applications for important workers in local industries.

• WOZA (03-14) reports that two Mozambican migrants, working as farm labourers in the North -West province were assaulted by the vigilante group Mapogo-a-Mathamaga after their employer accused them of theft. One of the migrants died as a result of the assault. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on migrant workers on farms, and COSATU has condemned the group for its actions.

• The Star (03-14) During their visit to Mpumalanga, President Mbeki and other ANC leaders expressed their dismay at the terrible and ‘slave-like’ working conditions of farm labourers in the area. The ANC national working committee will look into this matter and consider possible solutions to the abuse.

• Independent Online (03-14) In a two-day ‘crime blitz’, the police arrested more than 1000 persons from Hillbrow and Berea suburbs of Johannesburg. 666 persons among those arrested were suspected to be ‘illegal immigrants’. National police commissioner Jackie Selebi stated that the operation was organized to “make South Africa safe.” He added that ‘illegal immigrants’ were a “major problem because they were difficult to trace.” The report also indicates that ‘about 8 million illegal migrants’ are believed to be living in South Africa.

• The Star, Sapa (03-14, 03-13) Responding to a question in parliament, the Minister for Home Affairs Buthelezi revealed that 588 professional emigrated from South Africa officially in 1999, including 193 teachers, 175 accountants, 134 engineers, 40 lawyers and 43 doctors. During the same period, 32 teachers and 7 accountants migrated to South Africa.

• Africa News Online (03-10) Following a conference on labour migration in SADC, the regional representative for International Organization of Migration (IOM) Shun Shetty asked the South African Development Community to work towards greater integration, dialogue on labour migration issues and policies. He indicated that the IOM supported the notion of “humane labour migration” under improved conditions.

• Pretoria News (03-10) reports that the Cape High Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional for the Home Affairs Department to demand that foreign spouses of South Africans pay a R10 000 non-refundable fee for processing residence applications. Also, foreign spouses in SA illegally will no longer have to return to their country of origin in order to apply for permanent residence.

• Business Day editor Jim Jones (03-10) comments that "the fact that the Home Affairs Department launched an important court case" without the Minister's or the Director-General's knowledge suggests that the department is full of "bureaucrats who wield vast discretionary powers left over from the apartheid years." The court case in question, launched contrary to ministerial instructions, was an appeal of the High Court's decision to overturn the large and non-refundable fee paid by South Africans to secure residence rights for their foreign spouses. Buthelezi denied knowledge of the appeal and then ordered that there should be no such appeal. Editor Jim Jones criticized Buthelezi's approach to the incident and said that "the impression he gives is of being too tolerant and hands-off with errant officialdom."

• Angop (03-09) reports that immigration officials in Angola have deported 52 Senegalese migrants who were found ‘illegally staying in and involved in unlawful activity’ in Luanda and north-eastern Luanda-Sul province.

• MISAnet/ Inter Press Service (03-09) reports that a report published by the Southern African Migration Project (SAMP) indicates that coverage of international migration by the South African press has been largely anti-immigrant and xenophobic. The report is based on a survey of English-language coverage of migration in all major newspapers between 1994 and 1998 and while it finds that coverage can be classified as either sympathetic or xenophobic, it is predominately negative. The report has been released at the same time as a Human Rights Commission inquiry gets under way investigating racism in the media. The report points out the racism endemic to police tactics and official statistics and the media's acceptance of the information offered to them. The report suggests that journalists be trained on reporting migration issues and to stop using terms such as "illegals" and "aliens."

• Sapa (Cape Town 03-09) reports that although Home Affairs Minister Mangsosuthu Buthelezi stated that he would not appeal a High Court decision regarding fees paid by foreign spouses of South Africans, the Director-General has done so anyway. Buthelezi expressed surprised at the news of the appeal. Democratic Party MP Mike Walters criticized, "How hands-on is Minister Buthelezi in the Home Affairs Department. Is he a lame duck minister or does he get involved in decision making?"

• Sapa (Parliament 03-09) reports that Parliament's Home Affairs Portfolio Committee criticized the Home Affairs Department for not doing enough to counter the legacy of apartheid and improve service delivery. Director-General Billy Masetla attributed the department's failings to budget constraints, but the committee countered that the problems were due to lax officials and a failure to utilize available resources. The committee's complaints included: general lack of service, especially in rural areas; the fact that the department consists of mainly male officials in its top positions; the shortage of department offices in the Eastern Cape; running operations from rented structures; and, spending R1,3 billion on "smart cards" will take away services from the very poor. The committee recommended that Home Affairs officials provide records of previous requests for facilities and details of their general plans before the Easter recess.

• Business Day (Cape Town 03-09) reports that Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been accused of misleading a parliamentary committee after denying that his department was appealing a High Court decision regarding fee paid by foreign spouses of South Africans. Both Buthelezi and Director-General Billy Masetla denied the appeal, despite court documentation which indicated that the appeal had been filed February 11, 2000. According to Buthelezi's advisor, Mario Ambrosini, the minister only found out about the appeal the day after he denied it. Buthelezi had instructed his department not to appeal and Ambrosini stated that the appeal would be withdrawn.

• Sapa (Parliament 03-07) reports that the Home Affairs Department has suffered declining resources and funds and lacks modern technology, making it impossible to deal with "soaring legal and illegal migration over the past five years." While department requested R45,7 million for its personnel budget, it received only R24 million and now faces an overspending of R23 million. According to Director-General Billy Masetla, the department has been under-budgeted by an average of 60% since 1998. Last year, 10 million legal and "illegal" immigrants and 7 million visitors entered South Africa, resulting in the issuing of 507 248 visas. 180,000 "illegal immigrants" are deported each year. Masetla stated that it would take 44 years to "rid the country of illegal aliens" and while 1 200 officers are needed to deal with deportations, there are only 325. Masetla said, "The department finds itself increasingly locked between, on the one hand, human rights considerations in the handling of these foreigners, and, on the other, growing xenophobic attitudes towards them among South Africans." He added that only "organizational redesign, systems innovation and resources procurement" would create a completely new department.

• Sapa (Parliament 03-07) reports that Democratic Party MP Mike Waters said that South Africa needs to create the right conditions to attract skilled foreigners in order to lift the economy to higher levels. He added that a skills influx would not put South Africans out of work as "there is an alarming skills shortage that in the short and medium term can only be addressed by attracting skilled workers from overseas." Waters suggested that affirmative action was an "unmitigated disaster" and that the long-term solution to the skills shortage would be the creation of a world-class education system.

• Business Day (03-06) reports that KZN is expecting thousands of refugees escaping floods in Mozambique. Mozambique's western and northern borders are largely inaccessible, leaving KZN as the only option for escaping the flooding. According to Home Affairs spokesperson Hennie Meyer, flood victims do not qualify for refugee status "in terms of SA's agreement with the Organisation for African Unity and the United Nations" and will be returned to their country of origin. The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) has added two extra check points and a "roving" roadblock along the border.

• Sapa (Parliament 03-02) reports that 67,941 South Africans emigrated between 1988 and 1998, and that of that number, 30,611 had been economically active, according to Home Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi. However, these numbers do not reflect activity in 1993 since a new computer system did not make a distinction between emigrants and other South African travelers. The emigrants included 426 medical practitioners, 2,437 engineers and related technologists, 1,381 accountants, 4,222 managers, 3,551 pensioners, and 11,136 scholars and students. Most people emigrated in 1994, the year of SA's first democratic elections.

• IRIN (Johannesburg 03-01) reports that flood victims from Mozambique will not be considered refugees in South Africa and will be returned to their country of origin. UNHCR representative Mengesha Kebede stated, "It is up to the host government how it deals with people entering their country fleeing natural disasters." According to Claude Schravesande, director of Admissions and Alien Control, Home Affairs is not expecting an immediate influx of asylum seekers from Mozambique because flooding has washed away roads, bridges and rail lines: Asylum seekers may only start arriving after flood waters have subsided. Schravesande also confirmed that hundreds of Mozambicans are currently being detained, awaiting deportation aboard the department's weekly "rail-run" to the border post at Ressano Garcia. Deportations to Mozambique were temporarily halted due to impassable roads but trips resumed this week. According to Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, one million people are "on the move" due to flooding.

• Sapa (Johannesburg 03-01) reports that the Democratic Party proposed an immigration policy which rejected the government's affirmative action requirement and focused on making SA more attractive to foreign investors and entrepreneurs. DP Home Affairs spokesperson Mike Waters said approval for residence should be based entirely on the applicant's skills and that permits should be issued at the discretion of the immigration service and on the basis of a point system. According to Waters, points should be awarded for age, education qualifications, fluency in English and other languages. He also suggested that the immigration service turn to commerce and academia for advice on applications. The DP welcomed the "White Paper's goal of compensating the effect of 'brain drain' with 'brain gain' by creating a special class of permanent or temporary permits for people of exceptional skills" and suggested that an annual quota of permits be sold to investors willing to invest in South Africa above the prescribed threshold. The DP rejected the idea that forcing investors be required to train a certain number of South Africans as a condition for residency, claiming it is an unfair burden to place on investors.

• Sapa-DPA (Lusaka 03-01) reports that there are now26,000 Angolan refugees in Zambia and that there are more entering since fighting between UNITA and government forces intensified in October. According to Dominik Bartsch of the UNHCR, 9,000 refugees are stranded at Sinjembela and 2,800 are stranded at Kalabo, awaiting transporting to refugee camps at Maheba and Solwezi. Flooding has hampered efforts to move people to safer areas but alternative arrangements are being made to move people to a semi-permanent camp at Nangweshi. Basic human needs are being met but deliveries of supplies such as food, medicine, and drinking water are slow.

Updated 9 May 2000