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Asylum seekers say closed offices leave them without papers

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Asylum seekers from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Somalia in Gqeberha say they cannot get papers because refugee reception offices stay closed to newcomers. The asylum system has effectively been closed to new applicants since January 2020, reports said.

Brian, a Zimbabwean asylum seeker in Gqeberha, asked that his surname not be published. He earned R8 000 a month as a bartender before he lost his job. His wife earns about R2 400 a month. Brian believes he qualifies for asylum.

João, a Mozambican asylum seeker in Motherwell, fled political violence. He said the recent harassment of asylum seekers is related to the local government elections on 4 November. Sharon Ekambaram, head of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme at Lawyers for Human Rights, said all three people spoken to have a case for refugee protection.

Nasir Mohamed Moalin leads the Somali Association of South Africa. He asked: "Do we have to throw them into the streets when we know they qualify for asylum under UN regulations, of which South Africa is a signatory?"

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Home Affairs aims to launch an online application system on 10 November. She said an appointment receipt would protect asylum seekers from arrest. Home Affairs said online posts falsely claimed the 7 July Constitutional Court ruling gave asylum seekers citizenship or the vote.

Key facts

Who
Brian (Zimbabwean asylum seeker in Gqeberha who asked that his surname not be published); João (Mozambican asylum seeker in Motherwell, Gqeberha, who fled political violence); Sharon Ekambaram (head of Lawyers for Human Rights' Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme); Nasir Mohamed Moalin (leader of the Somali Association of South Africa)
When
22 October 2026
Where
South Africa, Gqeberha, Zimbabwe
Status
Reported

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