South Africa: Immigrants Stuck in Cape Jails Since June

At least 100 immigrants in the Western Cape are being held in police cells for overstaying their visas, with some detained for over two months. The Western Cape Coalition Against Xenophobia claims that police have been arresting immigrants on the streets and in their homes under false pretenses. Those arrested come from towns including Robertson, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, and McGregor, and primarily from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Lesotho.

Despite producing their documents to the police, many immigrants were unlawfully detained. One documented person was held until his visa expired and is now being deported. A Zimbabwean community leader, Lovemore Maporisa, was arrested while visiting detained individuals to provide toiletries and documents to prove their status. Michael Chanyamwaka, arrested in June, says police ignored his attempts to show valid documents, leading him to pay a fine and only be released after Home Affairs confirmed his waiver application.

Union representatives and activists are planning an anti-xenophobia event to address the situation. Thamsanqa Ntayi, a member of Operation Dudula, expressed concern over employment for South Africans, emphasizing that all foreigners must enter the country with proper documents. Jaenrè Botha of HWJB Attorneys, representing detainees, stated that at least eight people are being detained unlawfully, with many held for more than seven weeks since June.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut denied allegations of indiscriminate arrests, stating that immigration-related detainees are handled according to applicable legislation and in cooperation with the Department of Home Affairs.