In the media
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23 July 2015
Times Live
Of the five refugee reception offices in the country‚ Marabastad in Pretoria is the most corrupt‚ a research report released by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and the African Centre for Migration and Society (ACMS) revealed.
The report entitled "Queue here for corruption - Measuring irregularities in South Africa's asylum system" was launched at a seminar at the University of the Witwatersrand's law school on Wednesday.
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23 July 2015
Eyewitness News
Corruption Watch has described widespread fraud and corruption at the Home Affairs department’s refugee reception offices as a black market.
On Wednesday, the African Centre for Migration and Society released the findings of a report, revealing the shocking extent of corruption in South Africa’s asylum system.
Foreign nationals have apparently been paying bribes to have their paperwork processed.
Corruption Watch said officials are running a black market at the expense of vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees.
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23 July 2015
SABC News
You may need: Adobe Flash Player. SABC on the LHR/ACMS report "Queue Here For Corruption". The report details corruption at SA's reception offices
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23 July 2015
Talk Radio 702
Almost a third of the people who have to deal with Home Affairs Refugee Reception Offices (RROs) in South Africa have been asked for bribes.
This is according to a recent report by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and the African Centre for Migration and Society.
CapeTalk and 702 presenter Redi Tlhabi spoke with National Director at LHR's Jacob van Garderen.
Understanding refugee and asylum-seeking status and how it is compromised by corruption
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23 July 2015
All Africa
The report released by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and the African Centre of Migration & Society (ACMS) on institutionalised corruption within the asylum application processes at Home Affairs offices countrywide must be tabled in Parliament and must be addressed.
The report contains shocking statistics and findings and produces evidence of human rights abuses and rampant corruption at refugee reception centres.
The findings in the report include:
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22 July 2015
The Star
South Africa’s refugee law holds the promise of protection to those fleeing persecution – including politically motivated rape and torture – and civil wars in their home countries. Unfortunately, our Refugee Reception Offices (RROs) have failed to realise this promise and are instead characterised by inefficiency, poor quality decision-making, and corruption.
As a result, the refugee system now provides documentation for those who are able to pay, while those genuinely in need of protection but without sufficient funds are rejected as economic migrants.
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22 July 2015
eNCA
Widespread corruption is threatening the safety of those applying for asylum in South Africa.
Under-the-table payments are commonplace at refugee offices meaning some genuine asylum seekers are forced to return home, where they face persecution.
In Marabatad, Pretoria, more than half the refugees surveyed said they had been asked for a bribe.
“Not enough seriousness. Not enough attention was given by the department to this problem,” said Jacob van Garderen of Human Rights Lawyers.
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22 July 2015
Eyewitness News
Corruption Watch says it is shocked by the findings of its latest investigations, which have revealed the extent of malpractice at refugee reception offices.
On average asylum seekers are reportedly being forced to pay at least four bribes to have their legal documents finalised.
Investigations have found that bribes are paid for a number of services, including directing applicants to the correct queue.
Kabelo Sedupane of Corruption Watch says dishonest officials are continuously finding ways to make money from desperate asylum seekers.
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22 July 2015
PowerFM
You may need: Adobe Flash Player. ACMS's Loren Landau discusses the LHR/ACMS report "Queue Here For Corruption" on East Rand Stereo. The report details corruption at SA's reception offices.
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22 July 2015
Business Day
Were it not for municipal by-laws, the area outside the Marabastad refugee reception centre run by the Department of Home Affairs could easily become a tent city akin to a makeshift refugee camp.
Marabastad is one of the centres where refugees have to go to secure the necessary documentation to remain legally in SA. It has been identified in a report by Lawyers for Human Rights and the African Centre for Migration and Society as a hotbed of corruption, specifically bribe solicitation by officials.
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