Thobeka Ngema | Published 11 minutes ago
As the repatriation and deportation process for undocumented Malawian nationals continues in Durban, authorities have confirmed that all individuals processed for court are undergoing screening.
With specialist SAPS fingerprint experts stationed at the Sherwood Hall, so far, no undocumented immigrants have been linked to any criminal activity.
Home Affairs KwaZulu-Natal Manager Cyril Mncwabe said there is a SAPS working station inside Sherwood Hall, with specialist fingerprint experts, checking every person being taken to court, especially the males.
“Fortunately, no one has actually been linked to any crime or being a wanted person, but they are doing that. Every male person who is being taken to court and who would eventually be deported has already had his fingerprints checked by SAPS inside,” Mncwabe said.
He explained that the people being taken by the People Mover (inner city buses) go to court for them to appear before the magistrate. Thereafter, the buses bring them back so they can get them ready to board the buses.
He also explained that currently at the site, they have people who are returning from the court, and those are the people who are ready for deportation .
“Currently, we are busy loading buses that are for the people who were confirmed by the court yesterday (Wednesday). So, it’s an ongoing process. And we’re also continuing with the buses that are taking people for repatriation,” Mncwabe said.
He said the number of people processed in court was dependent on the number of available courts at the courthouse.
He said he cannot share how much the exercise is costing the country, but what is happening is that the South African government provided about 10 buses, which are part of the deportation process, and the Malawi government is pushing along the repatriation process by bringing in buses.
“All we know is that the Malawi government tells us that there are 10 buses that are coming to repatriate, in terms of whose funding and whether it’s them that they’ve paid for it or whether there is some other person that is funding them, we cannot confirm that,” Mncwabe said.
“All we are concerned about is that we get buses that are funded by the Malawi government to come into the site and pick up.”
He added that everyone is drained, describing the process as serious and tiring.
“I am feeling for my officials here because everybody is trying their best, but the situation is extremely difficult to manage.”
[email protected]
Related Topics:
Read the full article at IOL (Independent Online) →
ZA