Cape Town – The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has reortedly said that South Africa has no plans to accept migrants and asylum seekers deported from the UK to Africa.
This comes as Rwanda prepares to receive 5,700 migrants and refugees under a controversial deal with the UK, according to Al Jazeera.
Describing it as “another major milestone” in the Rwanda initiative, the UK’s Home Office published images and a video showing immigration enforcement officers apprehending individuals with handcuffs at various locations.
BREAKING: The first people set to be removed to Rwanda have been detained. pic.twitter.com/2WWNhQVC1l
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) May 1, 2024
The agreement, facing legal challenges and criticism from human rights groups, is expected to commence deportations in July.
Speculation surrounds other African countries possibly entering similar agreements, with Namibia reportedly rejecting such a deal.
According to The Citizen, Dirco affirmed South Africa’s stance against accepting such offers.
Asked if South Africa would do likewise, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson Clayson Monyela said it was never on the cards.
“We would never accept such an offer,” the reort quoted Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela as saying.
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Picture: X/ @ClaysonMonyela
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
