Revamped centre a boon for asylum seekers
Zuma urged refugees not to fall into the trap of corruption
THE revamped former Marabastad Refugee Reception Centre in Pretoria will bring relief and happiness to many asylumseekers.
On Friday, President Jacob Zuma and a delegation from Home Affairs officially launched the revamped centre, renamed Desmond Tutu Refugee Reception Centre.
The centre, which had become a cause of concern over the years due to allegations of fraud and corruption as well as human rights violations, now uses state of the art equipment, including an automated booking system.
Some improvements to the centre include new signage, counters and lighting.
A new security system and electric fencing had also been installed while an automated booking system, paperless processes, off-site interpretation services and an improved registry had been put in place.
Previously, it was hampered by a staff shortage, slow IT systems, inadequate filing systems and poor management.
It was also characterised by long queues outside and overcrowding inside.
After launching the centre, Zuma urged asylum seekers not to fall into the trap of corruption because the government would not tolerate any corrupt activity within reception centres.
Zuma said South Africa remained in the top 10 countries that received the most requests from individuals seeking asylum.
He said during 2008, the country received 150 000 applications, however, this number had significantly decreased to 60 000.
Most asylum seekers were Somalis, Congolese, Ethiopians, Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Malawians, Burundians and Ghanaians, around the age of 35, he added.