afrol News, 5 September - South Africa has announced its plans to start deporting illegal immigrants at the end of this month, which is also deadline for closure of six camps erected for thousands of foreigners displaced by the May xenophobic violence.

Gauteng provincial government had given today as deadline for shelters to be closed, but Wits law clinic and consortium for refugees and migrants in South Africa had made an application to constitutional court on Wednesday, to stop closure of shelters ahead of today's deadline.

Thousands of foreign nationals were forced to leave their homes after violent attacks which broke initially in Alexander and then spread around the country. Government, as a temporary measure, set up shelters to house those foreigners who had been displaced.

Gauteng government has assured xenophobia refugees that it is safe for foreigners to return to their homes.

"Issue of deportation will only kick in and apply to those who were here in country illegally," government spokesperson Themba Maseko said yesterday.

Some displaced immigrants who have legal documentation are said to be reluctant to return to their former communities and will have to find alternative accommodation.

"Government once again calls on communities, community organisations, religious formations and civil society in general to work with (refugees) to ensure their reintegration into communities," Mr Maseko said.

Gauteng government has assured xenophobia refugees that it is safe for foreigners to return to their homes.

"They have to leave shelters because we actually invited them at a time of need. We think enough has been done to do that," he said.

He added, "We are also convinced that conditions exist in all communities in Gauteng for displaced people to safely return to their places. So, we don't expect anybody to refuse to leave."

Earlier this week, a high court judge rejected human rights groups' submission which argued the closure would violate the rights of the displaced.

Many of those targeted returned to their home countries after violence in May, while others returned to South African townships but more than 2,000 of them are still in secure camps in Gauteng.

Professor Jonathan Klaaren of Wits School of Law Clinic told media that they had on Tuesday applied to Pretoria high court to stop provincial government from dismantling six temporary shelters, but this was dismissed.

"We understand shelters cannot be kept open permanently, but there should be a delay in dismantling them. Our argument is that we want this process to be lawful and to be conducted orderly," he said.

Gauteng government has spent about R100 million to keep shelters afloat since. Camps were set up in May after 60 people were killed and thousands displaced by anti-immigrant riots.

Last week, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres reportedly criticised South African authorities for not communicating any places for reintegration of displaced and not properly engaging in a dialogue with camp residents about their immediate future.

There are about 2 500 displaced people from other countries in all six temporary shelters in Gauteng province. About 15 000 people have returned to their homes voluntarily and some returned to their country of birth, since shelters were set up.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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