50 foreign nationals denied asylum status

About 50 foreign nationals have been denied asylum or refugee status. Half did not qualify and the rest produced fraudulent documents. Home Affairs has given them 10 days to appeal its decision. An estimated 60 families will be repatriated in the next two weeks.

At least 200 people arrested on the R28 in Krugersdorp, over a week ago, are still being held at the Lindela Repatriation Centre. Many are weary and simply want to return home. Some still refuse to cooperate with home affairs.

"They say they want asylum but they are not playing ball. This group has also been given 10 days to motivate why the Minister should not withdraw their applications for asylum," says Siobhan McCarthy from Home Affairs.

Lawyers for Human Rights says it’s received several complaints that Lindela detainees are being beaten. Home Affairs has denied the allegations.

The detainees' lawyers are still trying to clarify why home affairs is still detaining the group.