Hon Members,
I rise to support the Minister in her address to this chamber today, and will in my address concern myself with the issue of Asylum Seeker Management, Legal Services and the work of the Films and Publications Board.
ASYLUM SEEKERS
Some of you may know that the Iziko Museum is hosting a wonderful exhibition on the life of the late great Oliver Tambo, those of you who have not been to view this exhibition should do yourselves a favour and do so. It documents the life and times of one of our foremost leaders who spent over thirty years of his life as a refugee. It is in a nutshell our commitment to make our system of asylum management better able to meet the needs of genuine refugees and to prevent and eventually to eradicate the abuse of the refugee regime mainly by unskilled work seekers, but also elements that mean harm to our country and people.
The Minister has mentioned in her speech some of the plans in regard to SADC nationals and this will certainly allow for better management of immigrants from these countries and free up capacity in the ASM system which can be directed to better service and integrate genuine refugees. This is the longer term vision and in the coming year, we will concentrate on developing better synergy between the RSDO’s the RAB and SCRA processes. In our ongoing efforts to curb rampant bribery and corruption in our refugee centers, we will introduce new high security permits for refugees or asylum seekers. Permits will be printed on paper manufactured only for the Department and will contain a series of security features such as barcodes and a watermark. Any attempt to tamper with personalized details on such a permit will discolor the document.
We will introduce a track and trace capability to monitor the processing of asylum seeker applications at all our centers. This will give applicants information on their cellphones and keep them abreast of the progress made in processing their applications. It will also facilitate good management practices and give managers immediate access to information on backlogs and other data.
Coming now to what we are able to report as our achievements in the last twelve months: Firstly, we implemented an agreement concluded with the major banks enabling them to perform online verification of refugees and asylum seekers. This will enable these categories of people to access financial services.
In our Reception Centers, our efforts have in large measure been focused on improving efficiencies in dealing with applications for asylum. In this regard, we have been mindful that genuine asylum seekers were not best served by the prolonged periods that they had to endure while their matters were adjudicated.
We implemented a fast- track system firstly at the Durban Refugee Reception Centre, and are doing likewise in Musina and Pretoria. Our preliminary findings indicate positive trends in that the numbers of Asylum seeker applications have decreased quite dramatically particularly in the Durban refugee reception center.
We are pleased to announce an overall decrease in the number of Asylum Seekers who have come in to our centers throughout the country. In 2010 we received a total of (185 918) applications for asylum. In 2011, this figure dropped to (87 020) applications and last year the figure reduced further to (85 058).
These decreases are the result of more efficiency at our centers, our ports of entry, the re-deployment of the South African Defence force on our borderline, and most importantly, the relative peace and stability that has been maintained on our Continent during this time.
I must hasten to add that we are not making it more difficult to apply for asylum in South Africa as some are now suggesting. In fact we are seeing a significant increase in the number of refugee applications being granted in those centers where the asylum seeker numbers have reduced. This is a positive sign and we believe that the absence of huge throngs actually creates a condusive atmosphere for those persons who are genuinely in need of humanitarian assistance.
Speaker at the end of 2011 when we first recorded a significant reduction in the number of asylum seekers, we did not want to raise any expectations as we felt that notwithstanding our efforts a decrease year on year of just under 100 000, asylum applications could be an aberration. However in 2012 we again recorded a decrease and because we have experienced this in two successive years, we are very cautiously calling this a downward trend. All indications are that in this year, barring the outbreak of war, or other catastrophic occurrence on the Continent and our region, we are set to see further reductions in the number of asylum seekers.
Thus when we stood here in this chamber and spoke about South Africa being the world’s largest recipient of asylum seekers, we are now saying the situation in South Africa is rapidly normalizing.
So these developments should remind us, once again that we are not an island, that our fortunes as a country are inextricably linked with the fortunes of our brethren on the Continent. As has been said by former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki as well as President Jacob Zuma on so many occasions, South Africans cannot dream of peace, prosperity, and a better life, without dreaming that same dream for the rest of Africa.
We therefore welcome the recommendation to end the refugee status of certain exiled Angolans by the UNHCR in 2011- this is good news for us and the continent. The UNHCR has noted that circumstances in Angola have changed significantly, to the extent that it is no longer a refugee producing country. In fact, as the latest member of that elite class of countries called constitutional democracies, Angola is a country that has decisively put its past behind it and is notching up some impressive developmental statistics:
It is one of the fastest growing economies on the continent its GDP growth projected to be in the region of 7per cent, it is a country attracting good deal of foreign investment, the human development index indicates that in regard to health education and income Angola has since 2006 performed above the regional average, and it a rapidly growing tourist destination.
Speaker last week, Cabinet declared its support for the proposal made by the UNHCR that all refugees who sought refuge in South Africa on the basis of the Angolan Civil War, the Angolan War of independence or the general insecurity and strife in the Republic of Angola will be capable of initiating durable solutions by relinquishing their status as refugees. Refugee status is not meant to be a permanent situation. This is why all of the international instruments governing refugee matters refer to cessation in circumstances where significant changes have occurred which allow people -who previously fled under threat of persecution- to return to their home countries. I do not need to remind Honourable Members that the same situation pertained in South Africa with the unbanning of the ANC. Many hundreds of people who were in exile returned home to their country of birth to put shoulder to the wheel to help re-build our beloved country.
Angolan refugees who have dreams of a homeland that will forever be a place of peace and prosperity are now urged to return to their motherland and help reconstruct that country into a regional and continental place of pride. Where people abide by the rule of law and where there is peace and prosperity for all. The UNHCR, the Angolan Government and ourselves, have in principle agreed to assist those who are still here and who wish to voluntarily return to Angola.
For those who wish to continue staying in South Africa, we will be introducing an option for such persons to apply for temporary or permanent residence visas upon obtaining their Angolan passports from their embassy in South Africa. We shall within the next few days be announcing the location of help desks and the deadlines within which such applications may be made during this window of opportunity. We therefore wish to urge those who wish to take advantage of this option to obtain their Angolan passports as soon as possible.
Hon Members will be aware that in terms of the Refugees Act the Standing committee on Refugee Affairs has the power to revoke anyone’s refugee status at any time. In declaring its support for the UNHCR’s recommendation in respect of affected Angolan refugees, the South African government has not only signaled its support for an end to the refugee producing status of Angola, but we have given those affected persons a window of opportunity for durable solutions to their status.
Once again: The options available to affected persons are: assisted voluntary repatriation, and for those who are willing to reacquiring their citizenship, but who nonetheless wish to reside in South Africa for reasons such as study or work, these persons should approach the Angolan embassy and apply for their passports and other documents. We will announce very shortly a procedure where these persons will be afforded an opportunity to apply for appropriate visas under the Immigration Act. These persons will then have the same status as every other foreign national who is living in South Africa and whose stay is governed by the provisions of the Immigration Act.
The last option available to Angolan refugees whose status may be the subject of review by SCRA, is to apply to the standing committee for an exemption from the cessation regime. This category will remain refugees in this country until the SCRA determines otherwise.
The Department has been in consultation with SCRA and once SCRA has communicated its approach in this regard, the Department will make known certain specific information and assistance points where affected persons may be helped to apply for each of the available options. We hope to be able to make this announcement within the next few days.
FILMS AND PUBLICATIONS BOARD
The modern world revolves around the internet and modern communications gadgets. Inherently however the new cyberspace does come with its own dangers, particularly to children. Harmful and age inappropriate content is easily accessed by children in the comfort of their homes. Adults are not immune from these dangers either.
Recently the FPB had an outreach program in Bredasdorp where we were privileged to meet Chrisna Junios. Chrisna was generous enough to share her story with us and has given me permission to share it with all of you.
A few years ago, Chrisna’s marriage was on the rocks and she was emotionally in a very bad place. Desperately she turned to social media and befriended a person online and they began communicating and eventually built a friendship. Unfortunately the marriage problems got worse and she suffered what is commonly called a nervous breakdown. She was admitted to hospital. Upon discharge she accepted a lift home from her cyber friend she had continued communicating with throughout the process. She never arrived home. Instead she was kidnapped and had to endure torture and degradation at the hands of her kidnappers. She was drugged and suffered sexual assault. She was finally rescued after 13 months in captivity. No one can imagine the strength it took to recover from this horrible experience. Chrisna is with us today as a guest of the Department. She is joined by her new husband Mr. Neno Junios, you are both very welcome here this afternoon.
Chrisna’s experience is a vivid reminder to us all that while the cyber world has revolutionized our lives, we should never imagine it is without peril to ourselves and our children.
The work done by the FPB must be supported across party lines and we should not fall into the mistaken notion as some have done, that this body is no different from the censorship board of the old Apartheid era. It is a vital state institution that enhances our security capabilities and very literally continues to save countless lives.
The FPB has this year secured partnerships worth more than R 20million to ensure that its classifications are understood and also to cultivate appreciation for the caution that we all need to exercise in cyberspace. Apple ITunes and Multichoice are among the companies the FPB has reached agreement with.
Some other achievements include the launch of online submissions system for the gaming industry, and the implementation of an electronic content labeling system aimed at ensuring broader access by distributors.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
We are pleased to announce that the Amendment of the Citizenship Act as amended by Parliament came into effect on the 1 January 2013. The Act will add to our efforts which are aimed at securing the National Population Register.
With this Act we have sought to clarify the existing law which was sometimes misinterpreted and have affirmed that any person who applies for naturalization an must have been resident in the Republic for a continuous period of five years after having been granted permanent resident status. In effect this means that a person may only apply for naturalized status if they have been living in the country for ten years or longer.
We have also now introduced the principle of reciprocity regarding dual citizenship. This means that dual citizenship will now only be permitted if the country of origin of the applicant allows dual citizenship and if not; the applicant will have to renounce such citizenship prior to acquiring South African citizenship.
This year the Department was able to successfully defend 23 out of 29 court applications. These consisted of immigration, labour and civil claims. That equates to a 79% success rate.
At the same time the Department can report that it has successfully implemented measures to ensure that we reduce the risk of possible claims against the Department arising from contractual disputes.
In conclusion let me thank the Minister for her unwavering support and guidance the DG, and DDG’s and all of the officials of the department most of whom are unsung heroes of our country who go to work every day and do their very best for the people of this country.