Programme News
10 October 2014
(News)
The M&G went undercover at the Lindela Repatriation Centre for illegal immigrants to see if some of the detainees would share their grievances.
On the wall at the entrance bold letters proclaim: “Lindela Repatriation Centre” and “Bosasa Operation”. I walk through the gate into the sheltered open space.
Inside, there is a canteen, which doubles as a spaza shop...
10 October 2014
(News)
After nearly two decades of criticism, flouted laws and disturbing reports, there seems to be a promise of change at the infamous Lindela Repatriation Centre.
In September the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) stepped in and said it required a long list of specific actions by the department of home affairs – the department responsible for the deportation of illegal immigrants...
10 October 2014
(News)
A group of 25 Nigerians ended their two-week hunger strike at the Lindela Repatriation Centre after a brutal attack on them allegedly by security guards who were apparently trying to force them to eat. The guards work for Bosasa Operations, the company charged with running the centre.
Five members of the group claimed that 10 guards shot at them with rubber bullets and beat them with batons.
As...
8 October 2014
(News)
The explosive information in last week's Sunday Times - that French arms company Thales allegedly bribed President Jacob Zuma with money, gifts and travel and also made a €1-million donation to the ANC (about R14-million at today's rate) - confirms what many South Africans have believed for years. It raises further serious questions about the Seriti commission of inquiry into the...
7 October 2014
(News)
Somali and Ethiopian asylum seekers and refugees have scored a longed-for victory against official xenophobia – the Supreme Court of Appeal has thrown out key elements of ‘Operation Hardstick’.
This is a police programme in terms of which, among other strategies, Somali and Ethiopian businesses in Limpopo were shut down regardless of whether or not they had valid licences...
7 October 2014
(News)
The controversial 1999 multi-billion rand arms deal was "initiated with criminal intent", the Seriti Commission of Inquiry heard on Monday.
"I submit that the rationale for the arms acquisition was illegal, unconstitutional, and fraudulent right from the inception," arms deal critic Terry Crawford-Browne testified at the inquiry in Pretoria.
"Contrary to assertions...
6 October 2014
(News)
Children of undocumented migrants in South Africa are being deprived of access to public schooling.
The country's constitution says all children have the right to an education, but a government policy says refugees must have the appropriate documents allowing them to stay in the country first.
There's no exact figure on how many undocumented migrants are in the country, as many fear...
2 October 2014
(Press release)
On August 13, 2014, Mr. Edwin Samotse, a Botswana national, was unlawfully deported from South Africa to Botswana, where he runs the risk of being sentenced to death and executed. While South Africa’s conduct has been declared unlawful, FIDH – a member of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty – LHR and DITSHWANELO call upon the authorities of Botswana to guarantee...
2 October 2014
(News)
The Arms Procurement Commission says it will try to obtain transcripts of arms deal fixer Ajay Sooklal’s arbitration in which he gave details of President Jacob Zuma’s alleged involvement and will assess whether to call him in as a witness.
This follows weekend reports on how the Thales representative lavished fancy clothes on Zuma, and paid for legal fees and hotel stays in Europe....
2 October 2014
(News)
The Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the 1999 arms deal hit back at its detractors on Thursday, warning that insults against it were “criminal”.
Commission spokesman William Baloyi said in a statement: “The Commission wishes to caution members of the public and interested parties that it is a criminal offence to, inter alia, disparage or insult the Commission or its...