Metro

Hundreds of refugees demonstrate outside UNHCR office in South Africa, demand resettlement

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2022

Hundreds of Africans refugees seeking asylum in South Africa on Thursday, gathered outside the offices of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), demanding that they be relocated to other countries, claiming they have been victims of xenophobia in the country.

Prior to the rally, the group has been living in the Lindela repatriation and detention center, where they have complained of the poor living conditions and xenophobic attacks by South African gangs.

Some of the refugees who are from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been pushing to be repatriated to their respective countries.

One of the leaders of that asylum seekers, Lukombo Kaese, who is from Congo, told journalists:

“We are here at UNHCR to ask for protection because we are so tired of xenophobia; the lives of our kids are in danger, the future of our kids is in danger, that’s why we come to UNHCR to give us protection.

“We have the right as refugees, here’s the agreement between the government of South Africa and UNHCR, here’s the agreement and we know about it, we have the right to ask for a third country.”

“It is still our right, to come and ask for the third country, it’s written in the agreement, they know it as much as I can pretend to know it, the South African government and UNHCR,” another refugee, Johnny Moose, said.

The spokesperson at the UNHCR in the country, Buchizya Mseteka, who addressed the asylum seekers, said it was investigating their cases including the initial place where they had taken refuge at Lindela, but added that resettlement to other countries was not possible at the moment.

“But what I will tell you is this, the UNHCR has no control over which country can pick up these individuals for settlement, that’s up to the host country to decide.

“But to tell you how difficult it is, the last year 2021 only one percent of those who applied for settlement globally were accepted, only one percent, so it tells you things are tight even in host countries,” Buchizya said.

South African Home Affairs spokesperson, Siyabulela Qoza, who also addressed the refugees, said of the people outside the UNHCR, 22 have since opted for voluntary repatriation to their countries and are being assisted to do so.

Related Topics:Demonstrations Featured Refugees xenophobia

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

4 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.