Amanze Chinonye
South Africa plans to introduce a phased asylum-registration system by Nov. 10 to protect eligible applicants from deportation while their claims are processed, following a court ruling that has strained refugee reception services and heightened tensions over immigration.
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Under the proposed system, applicants will be able to register their intention to seek asylum online and receive a receipt containing their personal details, biometric information, reference number and appointment at a Refugee Reception Office, the government said.
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Holders of valid receipts will not be deported or detained solely for lacking a visa while their applications are pending. The protection will not extend to removal to a country where an applicant faces persecution or serious harm. The receipt will not constitute a visa or confer refugee status, and applicants must still undergo the formal asylum determination process.
The plan follows a July 7 Constitutional Court ruling that invalidated provisions of the Refugees Act insofar as they allowed asylum seekers to be excluded from the application process on procedural grounds, including entering the country without a transit visa. The ruling requires access to the asylum process but does not automatically grant applicants legal residence or refugee status.
The Department of Home Affairs withdrew an earlier directive on Oct. 9 after its implementation overwhelmed refugee reception offices and raised public-order concerns. The withdrawal followed anti-immigrant protests in Johannesburg’s Soweto township and Durban, where vehicles were torched and foreign-owned shops were looted.
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Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the digital platform would use biometric information to verify applicants’ identities and identify people whose previous asylum claims had been rejected.
Assisted registration will also be available at reception offices and, on request, for people held in police or immigration detention, with support from officials, legal representatives and civil society groups.
The government also plans to seek court guidance on implementing the ruling. A hearing before the Gauteng Division of the High Court is scheduled for Oct. 29 to consider conflicting directives on asylum applications.
Immigration enforcement will also continue, and people whose asylum claims have been finally rejected will not automatically regain protection by declaring a fresh intention to apply.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
