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S African police evict migrants | S African police evict migrants |
(about 6 hours later) | |
South African police have forcefully removed hundreds of immigrants from temporary shelters where they had taken refuge from xenophobic attacks. | South African police have forcefully removed hundreds of immigrants from temporary shelters where they had taken refuge from xenophobic attacks. |
Authorities say the immigrants, who were taken to a repatriation centre in Johannesburg, had not registered with the home affairs department. | Authorities say the immigrants, who were taken to a repatriation centre in Johannesburg, had not registered with the home affairs department. |
They now face deportation to their home countries, officials said. | |
More than 60 immigrants were killed and tens of thousands more fled during the attacks against foreigners in May. | More than 60 immigrants were killed and tens of thousands more fled during the attacks against foreigners in May. |
A BBC reporter witnessed angry and emotional scenes at the Glenanda temporary centre as they were removed. | |
Some immigrants chanted "human rights for refugees" as they were driven away by dozens of riot police. | |
The BBC's Mpho Lakaje said the immigrants taken from the camp, where about 2,000 people were sheltering, included women and children. | The BBC's Mpho Lakaje said the immigrants taken from the camp, where about 2,000 people were sheltering, included women and children. |
"It is not the South African government's intention to deport a huge group of people, but we want to identify the ring leaders [behind unrest at the camp] and deport them," Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told South Africa's Independent newspaper. | |
'Very disappointed' | 'Very disappointed' |
Home Affairs spokeswoman Cleo Mosana said the immigrants had been offered exemption from deportation but had not taken it up. | |
She said they had been given enough time to apply for proper documentation, but had refused to do so. | She said they had been given enough time to apply for proper documentation, but had refused to do so. |
Many foreigners said the registration process was not clearly explained, or that they did not register because they feared losing their refugee status. | Many foreigners said the registration process was not clearly explained, or that they did not register because they feared losing their refugee status. |
The government denied this would happen. | The government denied this would happen. |
One woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo said her sister was among those taken away. | One woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo said her sister was among those taken away. |
"They are going back to their country, but I know in our country there is still fighting," she said. | "They are going back to their country, but I know in our country there is still fighting," she said. |
Marylyn Mill, a volunteer who had been helping at the shelter, said she was "very, very disappointed". | Marylyn Mill, a volunteer who had been helping at the shelter, said she was "very, very disappointed". |
"I'm ashamed to be a South African, that this is how people in my country can be treated by our government." | "I'm ashamed to be a South African, that this is how people in my country can be treated by our government." |
The violence began in a township north of Johannesburg before spreading to other parts of the country. | The violence began in a township north of Johannesburg before spreading to other parts of the country. |
It was the worst bloodshed in the county since the end of apartheid in 1994. | It was the worst bloodshed in the county since the end of apartheid in 1994. |
Those attacked in May were blamed for fuelling high unemployment and crime. | Those attacked in May were blamed for fuelling high unemployment and crime. |
Twenty-one South Africans, mistaken by gangs for foreigners, were among those killed. | Twenty-one South Africans, mistaken by gangs for foreigners, were among those killed. |
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