The tense situation unfolded outside the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday afternoon as police prepared to evict families who have been living there for over a year. The refugees, who had returned to the UNHCR offices from Lindela Repatriation Centre and Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in 2019 after their protests, refuse to return to their country of origin and do not want to live in South Africa.
An eviction order was granted by the Pretoria High Court in August 2022 and was originally scheduled for 19 April, but it has been postponed, according to UNHCR spokesperson Laura Padoan. Padoan stated that she did not know the new date, but the eviction was “inevitable.” The refugees have refused legal representation, and the eviction order remains unopposed.
The eviction was sought by the City of Tshwane and some Pretoria homeowners against the refugees, as well as the departments of Home Affairs, Police, and Social Development, and the UNHCR.
Since their return to the UNHCR offices, the refugees have been living in makeshift shelters made of plastic and wood, relying on handouts from well-wishers and donations. Approximately ten children aged from ten to 15 have been receiving informal math lessons from one of the refugees, 27-year-old Angelo Lidi. The children have not been able to attend school since their families started the protest in 2019.
“Maths is a basic skill which the children can use no matter where they go in the world,” said Lidi.
Therisa Walu, a mother of five originally from Congo, shared that life has become increasingly difficult for her family. Her husband was allegedly killed during xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg in 2019, and their asylum documents have expired without being renewed by Home Affairs. Walu claims that UNHCR officials have ignored their pleas for assistance and offered no solutions.
“Going back into the community is out of the question. There is no future here for us and our children because the country does not accept us. If it’s not Home Affairs, it’s xenophobia,” Walu said.
The refugees are requesting to be taken out of South Africa, as they feel unsafe and unwelcome in the country. Maliya Mungu, the refugee spokesperson, stated that hardly any of the refugees have valid documents and they have struggled to access healthcare. Conditions outside the UNHCR offices are unsanitary and dangerous, particularly for the children in the group.
UNHCR spokesperson Laura Padoan said that the refugees would be given the option to leave voluntarily before any police action, and temporary accommodation would be provided at the Lindela repatriation centre. Padoan also stated that the UNHCR was in continuous dialogue with the authorities involved to ensure that any removal action is carried out peacefully and with respect for the families’ dignity. The UNHCR continues to advocate for more resources and resettlement places for refugees in need.
As the eviction of the refugees from the UNHCR offices becomes imminent, the situation remains fraught with tensions as the refugees refuse to return to their country of origin and express concerns about their safety and well-being in South Africa. The UNHCR and authorities are working to find a peaceful resolution, but the future remains uncertain for these families seeking refuge.
Refugees camping outside UN Human Rights Commission offices in Pretoria are being evicted. They have been there since 2019. @Patrweezy is LIVE @TheAgenda_SABC #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/CujKEGDMWm
— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) April 21, 2023
 in Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday afternoon as police prepared to evict families who have been living there for over a year.){kind=link}