EVENT INVITATION

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EVENT INVITATION


** FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2021 – 11AM CAT
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On the 27th of March 2020 the South African Refugee Reception Offices (RROs) were temporarily closed in response to the COVID-19 national lockdown. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has since given refugees and asylum seekers blanket extensions on their temporary asylum seeker permits and refugees status permits.

These extensions are effective until the 31st of March 2021. These blanket extensions of people’s permits have resulted in people being unable to access banking services; lease agreements; job security; education and health care services and has put new arrivals at risk of deportation and detention. Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has not communicated its plans to re-open the RRO or how it intends to extend the validity of permits and deal with the barriers created because of expired permits.

A refugee from Ethiopia explains:

There are problems since the office closed. People cannot access their money from the bank. This is a huge problem. People are unable to rent apartments because landlords need their permits… Once they the office how are they going to renew the permits because everyone’s permit is expired. What is the plan?

As a collective of refugees, asylum seekers and civil society organisations we are hosting an installation in front of the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office to motivate Minister. Aaron Motsoaledi to fast track the resumption of services for all refugees and asylum seekers.

Join us as we stand in solidarity with asylum seekers and refugees who have been affected.

Date: 19^th March 2021
Time: 11am
Place: Cape Town Refugee Reception Office, Nelson Mandela Blvd, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town

Please contact for more information:
1. Namuma Mulindi 082 226 4788
2. Pricilla Chuloi 078 080 0160
3. Nosipho Vidima 076 782 0812

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