Protesters in Pretoria demand deportations over asylum seeker ruling

Protesters gathered outside the department of home affairs office in Pretoria on Friday, demanding the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals and calling for the reconsideration of a Constitutional Court judgment concerning asylum seeker applications.

The demonstrators, representing groups including March and March and the Progressive Forces of South Africa, Concerned Tshwane Residents and other civic groups, said they were unhappy with the court ruling and accused the government of failing to address their concerns about immigration, unemployment and pressure on public resources.

The gathering followed the department’s withdrawal on Friday of a directive issued on September 28 regarding the intake of asylum seeker applications.

The department said the directive had been withdrawn after refugee reception offices were overwhelmed, officials were placed at risk and concerns emerged about public safety and order.

A representative of March and March, Sithembile Simelani, said the organisation welcomed the withdrawal but wanted the underlying court ruling challenged. “We feel vindicated, really, by the announcement that Home Affairs will be suspending this asylum application registration,” Simelani said.

The representative alleged that some people applying for asylum were not genuine asylum seekers and called for the ruling to be challenged through legal channels.

We want the judges to be audited, to have a lifestyle audit, because it highlights the fact that their integrity might be compromised

“We won’t leave that constitutional ruling standing,” Simelani said, adding that the organisation would be guided by its legal entity on possible further action.

Mandisa Xulu, spokesperson for the United Civic Organisation, criticised the judgment, arguing that South Africans had not been adequately consulted on its implications. “We want the judges to be audited, to have a lifestyle audit, because it highlights the fact that their integrity might be compromised,” said Xulu.

She also called for deportations, saying the country’s resources were under pressure and that communities should have a greater say in decisions affecting immigration and social integration.

The protesters also raised concerns about unemployment, saying the government should prioritise South African citizens when addressing economic hardship.

One demonstrator, who said she was unemployed, accused the government of disregarding the concerns of young people. “How will we survive as South African citizens?” the protester asked.

The demonstrator said the issue could have consequences for future generations, adding: “Our children will have to suffer the consequences of the government we have now, and our grandchildren will have to suffer the consequences.”

“It is very much unfair to find such a ruling that would cater for illegal people that are in the country while we have a backlog of IDs in home affairs,” he said.