JP Smith -abuse of refugees at home Affairs is unacceptable

Athenkosi Mvane

29 May 2013

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the abuse of refugees at the Home Affairs refugee reception centre is shocking and unacceptable. 

On Monday security guards hosed down angry people, including children, when they became unruly outside the centre. 

Over 1 000 people have been queuing at the centre for days wanting to renew their asylum seeker’s documents. 

MEC Smith said in this situation, a similar situation with the refugee reception centre a few years ago that lead to the centre being closed.

“I’m unhappy that the Department of Home Affairs has not learnt from the previous exercise that we are forced to be replayed the same problems and challenges that arose before, without any effective intervention from their side.

“I have asked the Mayor to facilitate another meeting with home Affairs” Smith added.