ZA Home Affairs: 278 Durban Refugees Relocated To Lindela Gauteng

• South African Home Affairs is relocating 278 refugees and asylum seekers from Durban to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, after they camped outside Home Affairs offices since May.
• The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has resumed hearings, focusing on alleged criminal infiltration and officer collusion within the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.
• The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has accused police of failing to urgently address the disappearances and deaths of five women in the Kempton Park area, calling for a comprehensive investigation.

South African Home Affairs officials are facilitating the transfer of 278 refugees and asylum seekers from Durban to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, Gauteng.

South African Home Affairs officials are facilitating the transfer of 278 refugees and asylum seekers from Durban to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, Gauteng. This relocation follows months of the individuals camping outside the Home Affairs offices in Durban, a situation that began in May. The move comes after they were displaced from their homes and businesses in anticipation of anti-illegal immigration protests scheduled for June 30, with tensions around their makeshift encampment having escalated significantly in recent weeks.

The decision to relocate the Durban refugees to Lindela in Gauteng has elicited varied responses among those affected. While some, including Ghanaian hairdresser Princess Adjei and Congolese refugee Robert Bhabi, expressed a sense of hope for new beginnings despite the difficulty of leaving Durban, others have opted to remain in the city. The department is providing transport for the group as part of this process, aiming to address the ongoing situation in Durban.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has resumed its proceedings after a two-week hiatus, with current testimony focusing on the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD). Established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the commission's mandate is to investigate allegations of political interference, corruption, and criminal infiltration within the broader criminal justice system. The inquiry is specifically examining claims that criminal networks have penetrated the JMPD and that certain officers may have colluded with these syndicates.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed that Tuesday marked the 173rd day of hearings. The commission is now directing its attention to one of the key law enforcement agencies falling under its terms of reference, signaling a critical phase in its comprehensive investigation into systemic issues affecting justice and security in the country.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has publicly criticized the police for what it describes as an inadequate and delayed response to the disappearances and deaths of women in the Kempton Park area. This strong condemnation follows the recent discovery of a fifth woman's body in Olifantsfontein, adding to four previous cases where women with similar profiles were found deceased.

EFF's mayoral candidate for the City of Ekurhuleni, Nthabiseng Tshivhenga highlighted that the police only acknowledged the possibility of a serial killer after the disappearance of a missing runner garnered significant public attention. The party argues that these repeated discoveries underscore a fundamental failure by the State to adequately protect women. Consequently, the EFF is demanding a thorough investigation into these deaths, all prior missing-person reports, and the overall police response to these critical incidents.

Source: Reporting based on EWN and SABC News.