Cape Town — The company managing the Lindela Repatriation Centre could face some serious consequences after 69 undocumented foreign nationals escaped while awaiting deportation, Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, said.
The Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp was responsible for letting 69 undocumented foreign nationals escape the facility while they were awaiting dprtation, a Department of Home Affairs statement read.
“The Department is unhappy about the circumstances and the manner under which this escape happened because we believe enough could have been done by the management company and its security to prevent this incident. Hence, the contract is being scrutinised to decide on the best course of action.” the department said.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says the security company tasked with guarding undocumented foreign nationals at the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp has to answer after 69 escaped while awaiting deportation.
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In response to the escape, Motsoaledi said the is assessing a contract with facilities management company Enviromongz, the same company that manages and provides security at the centre, SABC News reported.
“They say there was an altercation with the company and security officers but from the pictures we saw on CCTV, I’m not sure why this should be described as an escape. It looks like people were just walking out and the security doing nothing.” he said.
“The company has got a lot to answer to. In every facility like that, going through the gate will definitely find security there and they’ll deal with you. Now, that these ones just went straight to the gate and nothing happened to them is very suspicious to me. What we were able to do was to replace their security at the gate, with a new security company but the company itself we’re busy studying the contract.” he added.
Motsoaledi confirmed that one of the escaped foreign nationals was re-arrested.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
