SA Man deported to Zimbabwe

By Tando Mfengwana
14 November 2006

A South African citizen, whom authorities believed to be a foreigner, was arrested, detained and then deported to Zimbabwe.

David Phandlela, 26-years old sued Bosasa Operations Pty Ltd, which is trading as Lindelani Repatriation for R50 600 for unlawful arrest, detention and his subsequent deportation.

According to Pretoria News Phandlela is claiming R76 000 in damages from the ministers of Home Affairs and Safety and Security.

The report says that Fritz Gaerdes, of Lawyer for Human Rights, said this action will be taken later, because the ministers showed that they would defend the matter.

He is to receive over R40 000 in damages awarded to him by the Pretoria High court.

Phandlela, on March 27 2003 was on his way home in Yeoville from work through HIllbrow in Johannesburg.

Police and Home Affairs officials were questioning pedestrians about their nationalities along the route.

He was asked for his identity document, but he did not have one as he’s had been stolen a few days ago.

Phandlela had reported this to the Yeoville police station and showed the home affairs officials an application slip for his ID but this to no avail.

Phandlela was kept in Lindela in Krugersdorp and then deported to Zimbabwe after 11 days.

He had no food, no money and no way to contact he’s family and friends or a passport, he slept outside for two months

He eventually got back into the country after begging a taxi driver for a lift to Johannesburg.