Human Rights Watch publication; Home Affairs Identification System; Mozambican refugees: briefing

Meeting report

HOME AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
25 March 1998
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH PUBLICATION; HOME AFFAIRS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM; MOZAMBICAN REFUGEES

Documents handed out:
Human Rights Watch Publication
The Chairperson, Mr. D Lockay, opened the discussion by asking the Minister of Home Affairs, M C Buthelezi, about the publication of the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report in New York alleging human rights abuses of illegal immigrants by South African authorities and to what extent would the formulation of the draft White paper ensure that these human rights problems will be dealt with.

The Minister's response:
- the report highlighted isolated irregularities
- he acknowledged such problems do exist and are not new
- a transformation process attending to such problems was already in place
- with regard to the White paper, a panel had already been appointed
- the solution to many problems "requires legislative actions"
- we could not be expected to treat foreigners better than SA citizens, since 50% of SA citizens live below the poverty line.

The Deputy Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, further responded:
- she questioned the validity and objectivity of the paper by Human Rights Watch, a group unknown to her, since no Home Affair officials nor committee members had been interviewed.
- she questioned the fact that the document was published the day before the US president arrived in South Africa
- before the new government came into place, there was no policy regarding refugees
- refugee problems were being dealt with however many people were abusing the system and did not qualify as refugees
- the White paper on refugees would be put published on 20 June 1998.
- drafting of legislation to follow immediately thereafter

Tender for the Home Affairs Identification System (HAIS)
The Chairperson was worried about the obsessive secrecy around the tendering of the identity system. He was not happy about the rumours. He urged Minister to assist them by giving an objective report on the selection process.

The Minister's response:
- the guidelines of the State Tender Board were being strictly adhered to
- thirteen companies had originally applied and after the initial two phases had been completed, eight companies had been left; in the last tender phase there were two to three companies involved
- anyone concerned about the procedure could have access to the information after the process had been finalised.

Progress on Mozambique refugees
Mr Mokoena, Director-General of Home Affairs, said that the Department had not progressed on this since the Cabinet had approved the legality of the refugees.

Due to time constraints, the Minister was asked to provide a written report on the final two items on the agenda:
The Departments initiatives to improve service delivery
Negotiations between Home Affairs and State Expenditure on the budget of the IEC