Facility one to be proud of, but workers unsure about the future
A recent visit to the Lindela Repatriation Centre showed the facility is in good condition and well run, but that corruption and incompetence have left workers unsure about the future.
African Global Operations, better known as Bosasa, has been dominating headlines for weeks now after being implicated for its role in state capture.
Last week the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng provincial leader, John Moodey and the Team One SA spokesperson on immigration, Jacques Julius visited the Lindela Repatriation Centre for an oversight visit. Bosasa has been running the centre since 2007.
The purpose of the visit to the detention centre for undocumented immigrants in South Africa was to investigate the conditions at the centre after reports of alleged human rights violations had surfaced.
These allegations include that a four-year-old child had died because of inadequate medical facilities, unsolved deaths dating back to 2005 and the illegal detention of minors.
The media was unfortunately not allowed in the centre to partake in the tour but was briefed by Moodey and Julius afterwards.
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“Our experience was something we didn’t expect. In the first place we expected resistance but received a warm welcome,” Moodey said.
He said that he spoke to some of the detainees who told him that they were being treated fairly and that no one he had interviewed had experienced any abuse.
“I was also impressed by the facilities – the cleanliness and that the requirements of the Human Rights Commission are being implemented,” he explained.
Julius said the facility has improved a lot since Members of Parliament’s previous visit.
It costs about R909 to deport one undocumented immigrant, which excludes the cost of accommodating the detainees. These costs can be cut if our country’s border posts are strengthened to keep out repeat offenders, said Moodey.
“We are however very concerned about the security of the Bosasa job contracts,” Julius said. He explained that the almost 2 500 employees at the centre face uncertainty now that the company is being liquidated.
The party is calling for the contract with African Global Operations to be cancelled and a lasting solution to be found for the centre.
Julius said who ever is awarded the contract at the centre must be able to ensure job security and a seamless transition.
