EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba yesterday visited the Sherwood site to assess progress in the processing of Malawian nationals as government intensifies efforts to expedite the deportation process.
Image: Supplied
In an effort to clear the backlog, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba has stepped in to fast-track the deportation process, engaging senior government stakeholders to increase the capacity needed to process more than 10,000 undocumented foreign nationals currently awaiting repatriation.
He visited the site on Sunday to assess progress and identify ways to accelerate the operation after the South African government assumed responsibility for the process.
It had initially been overseen by Malawian authorities as a voluntary repatriation initiative but later transitioned into a formal deportation programme.
"Under South African immigration laws, deportation requires each undocumented foreign national to be processed individually.
"This includes identity verification, the issuing of the necessary legal documentation, and an appearance before a court to ensure compliance with due process and the protection of constitutional rights," the municipality said.
Thousands processed as deportation effort intensifies at Sherwood camp.
Image: SUPPLIED
Recognising the mounting pressure, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has engaged senior government stakeholders in a bid to remove administrative bottlenecks and increase processing capacity.
Image: SUPPLED
Recognising the mounting pressure, Xaba has engaged senior government stakeholders in a bid to remove administrative bottlenecks and increase processing capacity.
A dedicated court has already been established at the premises, and discussions are under way with the Department of Justice to create two additional courts focused solely on deportation matters.
"Mayor Xaba is engaging the Department of Justice to establish two additional courts dedicated exclusively to processing these matters. This intervention is intended to increase capacity and expedite the handling of cases.
"The Department of Home Affairs has also committed to deploying additional officials to support the courts, with the aim of ensuring cases are finalised more efficiently."
IOL