Political disturbances in the African continent and some Asian countries have created thousands of asylum seekers. Many of them – in particular from Ethiopia, Somalia, Zimbabwe and Pakistan – are choosing South Africa as their safe haven of choice since the country allows them to work and study in local communities as they wait out the application process. However, the high volumes have jammed the country’s asylum system making life hell for applicants.

By Thuso Khumalo, Johannesburg

It is 3 o’clock in the morning and a time when most people in South Africa are enjoying their sleep. But for the 36-year-old Zimbabwean asylum seeker Gift Nhidza, and thousands of others like him, sleeping is a luxury they often cannot afford.

Nhidza is a member of one of Zimbabwe’s largest political parties, the Movement for Democratic Change.

Tortured in Zimbabwe
“I had to flee Zimbabwe after severe torture by state security agents who left my two legs fractured and my spinal code damaged. On arrival in South Africa I applied for asylum but they rejected my application so I was prompted to appeal that decision,” says Nhidza.

Now Nhidza is spending sleepless nights in a bid to get South Africa’s protection. He has to start queuing as early as 4am at the Marabastad Refugees Reception Office in the county’s capital Pretoria.

Asylum seekers in South Africa

Photo: Thuso Khumalo/RNW African Desk

Long queues
“I wake up at one a.m. to make it into the first group of a hundred people in the queue,” says Nhidza.
However, when the queues swell around 7 o’clock in the morning, Nhidza loses his front position as each individual jostles to be the first to enter. The long and winding queues are due to the closure of two other refugees’ centers in the country and the increased number of asylum seekers from Ethiopia, Somalia, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

“There will be thousands of us in the queue some coming to renew their permits while others are new comers. But only a hundred people are served per day and the rest have to go back empty handed,” Nhidza explains.

Arrests and bribes
On their way home, first comers who have not been served are usually arrested by police and charged for being illegal immigrants. The lucky ones get released after paying up to 97 euros in bribes. The unfortunates are deported.

Those who fail to renew their asylum permits because of the long queues and other reasons are charged penalty fees of up to 291 euros payable upfront before any service can be offered.

Risking deportation
With most asylum seekers not formally employed, many have failed to raise these relatively exorbitant amounts and have chosen to abandon their asylum applications and thereby risking arrest and deportation. However, Nhidza is determined to pursue his appeal despite the frustrations. But so far he has been tossed from one official to another with no success.

Assaulted for bribe
“First I was thoroughly assaulted by a home affairs official for refusing to pay a bribe of one hundred and forty six euros to get my papers sorted and now they are saying my file is missing. I am running out of options.

“I can’t even get formal employment since I do not have valid documents,” alleges Nhidza.

He carries around a letter from the Lawyers for Human Rights as protection against arrest and deportation. Nhidza is now planning to approach the Director General of the Home Affairs – and, if necessary, knocking at the minister’s office.

Meanwhile, the South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs failed to respond to questions on the problems within the asylum system.