The South African Human Rights Commission is shocked to learn that a South African national has been detained at the Lindela Repatriation Centre since 13th December 2002 and could have faced the prospect of being repatriated to an unknown destination. Sizakele Sukazi is reported to have been arrested while returning from work after the police found him without an identity document. His family’s submission of a South African identity document has not helped the situation.

Lindela Repatriation Centre serves as a centralised detention facility for persons awaiting deportation. The Department of Home Affairs uses this facility to detain undocumented immigrants and those who have not qualified for asylum prior to being deported. The SAHRC has over the past few years received disturbing reports of gross violations of human rights in the procedures followed during the arrest and eventual detention of so called 'illegal immigrants'. People have been apprehended, arrested and detained despite having valid documentation or South African Identification Documents. The excessive use of violence is well documented. There have also been reports of corruption in the form of bribery and fraudulence as well as lack of proper administrative systems and procedures.

In view of the fact that these incidences continue unabated, the SAHRC plans to establish a permanent monitoring presence at the Lindela Repatriation Centre. The aim of this initiative is to ensure that no person is detained and deported unlawfully. We also aim to ensure that the conditions at the facility conform to international standards for detention and are consistent with the provisions of the South African Constitution. Particular areas of concern in the monitoring will include proper administrative procedures during apprehension arrest and detention, physical conditions of the detention facility, access to legal representation and grievance procedures, responsibilities and obligations of detention officers.

The Alien’s Control Act is one of the last major pieces of apartheid era legislation that needed to be repealed. With the coming in of the new Immigration Act the Commission will monitor the implementation of the Act more rigorously to ensure that it addresses the ongoing human rights violations at Lindela.

Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
Date: 22 January 2003
For more information contact:
Phumla Mthala Tel: (011) 484-8300

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