SA Will Not Establish Refugee Camps as Government Advances New Immigration Court Plan
The South African government will not establish refugee camps, including on a temporary basis, according to Minister of Justice and Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, Mmamoloko Kubayi. Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, Kubayi said the decision was both a policy and legal position adopted by the country.
Kubayi said managing migration requires cooperation between government, communities and neighbouring countries. She reiterated that South Africa has no intention of creating refugee camps and stressed that the country should not be expected to establish such facilities. The committee outlined government plans aimed at addressing migration-related challenges.
The minister also revealed that work to establish a priority court dealing with immigration matters and illicit economic activities was at an advanced stage. She said the project would be piloted at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, with teams from the Airport Company South Africa (ACSA), Home Affairs and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development already working together.
According to Kubayi, officials will conduct a site visit on 18 June to assess the suitability of the identified location and determine what repurposing may be required. She said further progress on the pilot project would be announced once that assessment process has been completed.