Home >> Africa >> Republic of South Africa  Email  Print Refugees in South Africa (Part 4): Department of Home Affairs Miriam Mannak - 5/22/2005 Three refugees were taken to hospital yesterday after being beaten by officials at the Home Affairs offices on the Foreshore. Officials used sjamboks and sticks against about 30 refugees who forced their way into the building shortly after the gates opened yesterday morning. People were also kicked.
The Department of Home Affairs head of communication Nkosana Sibuyi said officials at the Cape Town Refugee Reception Centre had had every right to restore law and order after the group of refugees had forced their way into their offices.
"We regret that this happened but the safety of our staff was in jeopardy," said Sibuyi.
"The asylum-seekers forced themselves in and did some minor damage to the furniture.
"The department condemns this behaviour. We live in a democracy, not in an anarchist state. If anarchy occurs, we need to restore law and order. By all means."
Three Somali refugees were taken to Somerset Hospital. One showed the Cape Times a 7x1cm sjambok mark on the left side of his face, and a bruise under his right eye. He had several bruises on his limbs.
Another man said he was beaten and kicked in the chest and in the back by a male official.
"Breathing hurts. I think my finger is broken," he said while he waited in hospital for medical assistance, nursing his swollen left hand.
Marks on his left leg and bruises on his lower back were visible.
"I am tired of waiting for my permit. I waited for weeks but nothing happens. I even slept outside the refugee office the last three nights. I want my paper. I want to live. But they don't care about us."
At least six witnesses, who were inside the office when the violence occurred, said the incident took place shortly after the gates opened at 9.30am.
"They admitted only 10 people. About 30 refugees were frustrated by this as they had been waiting for many weeks at the office," said a refugee identified only as Abdel from Somalia.
He was inside the office for a passport when the violence started.
"They forced themselves in. You have to understand their frustration. They have waited for assistance for a very long time. Many have slept here several nights. These men feel they are not listened to or cared about."
Abdel said three to four officials reacted almost immediately when the 30 refugees entered thebuilding.
"They used sjamboks and sticks. They also kicked. Two Somalis, including a friend of mine, fell on the ground."
A refugee, identified only as Jean from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had been inside the building for about an hour to collect his refugee documents when he saw officials beat the refugees.
"They beat them like animals. I am completely disgusted by this."
Jean said at least five people were injured.
"Two of them, Somalis, were lying on the ground. It looked pretty bad."
Human Rights Lawyer William Kerfoot said he was appalled that in a new democracy like South Africa's refugees could be treated like this.
"There is no respect for human dignity."
Also published in The Cape Times. Miriam Mannak has degrees in Journalism, International Relations, American Studies and International Development Studies. As part of her studies, she's done research on crime in Netherlands, landmines in Cambodia, political, economical and social relations between US and Europ in 2003 versus transatlantic relations during Cold War, and the role of the UN in the genocide in Rwanda. Ms. Mannak currently resides in the Republic of South Africa, and in the past also lived in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and Holland. She worked for various publications, including De Telegraaf, Gooi - en Eemlander, Sp!ts, The Cape Times, Zuid-Afrika Huis, De Jonge Journalist and Backpackers Galaxy.
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