Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs says it is studying the South Gauteng High Court judgement on the detention of illegal foreigners at the Lindela Deportation Facility.
The High Court in Johannesburg has ruled that the detention of migrants at the Lindela Repatriation Centre was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The court ordered that the department ensures that no person was detained for a period exceeding 30-days from the date on which that person was first arrested.
“The department is studying the judgement and will, if necessary, comment further on this matter once it has decided on a way forward.
“As a signatory to various UN conventions, South Africa supports international efforts to protect and assist refugees and asylum-seekers. In this regard, we continue to work closely with refugee and asylum seeker organisations, including the United Nations High Home Affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete.
Lindela in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, is the only facility of its kind in South Africa where illegal migrants are detained while awaiting deportation. – SAnews.gov.za
