Refugees celebrate ruling

Refugees living in Nelson Mandela Bay had reason to celebrate and enjoy World Refugee Day yesterday as they received news that the Port Elizabeth High Court had ordered that the Eastern Cape's only Refugee Reception Centre be reopened.

The centre was closed on October 20 2011 when, without prior warning, a notice was placed outside the Sidon Street, North End, office saying services for new applicants would halt the next day. The closure was ruled unlawful in February last year and the home affairs minister and Department of Home Affairs were ordered to open a "fully functional" centre to provide services to asylum seekers.

An application for leave to appeal this order was refused in the Port Elizabeth High Court in May last year and in the Supreme Court of Appeal in August. The centre has remained closed for new applicants throughout this time.

But Judge Jannie Eksteen yesterday ordered the minister and department to "ensure that by October 1 a refugee reception office is open and fully functional" in the Bay for new applicants to apply for asylum.