Home Affairs names 12 crossings in Beitbridge asylum plan
Home Affairs has proposed that asylum seekers who entered South Africa through any of 12 border crossings apply in person at a new refugee reception office at Beitbridge. The department also proposes closing the Tshwane Refugee Reception Office. The notices,…
The crossings named in the proposal are Beitbridge, Derdepoort, Giriyondo, Groblersbrug, Kopfontein, Pafuri, Platjan, Pontdrift, Ramatlabama, Skilpadshek, Stockpoort and Swartkopfontein. The requirement would also cover an asylum seeker who cannot show proof of entering through a different port and whose entry through that port Home Affairs cannot verify in its records. This includes new applicants…
For people with an existing claim, the proposal could affect more than the first application. According to reports, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration said the Beitbridge office could also handle permit renewals, decisions on claims and updates to personal records. The committee said moving services closer to the border would help officials verify identities and…
