Question NW457 to the Minister of Home Affairs
14 March 2024 - NW457
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)What number of (a) new-comer asylum applications have been processed in each refugee reception centre from quarter 1 to quarter 3 of the 2023-24 financial year and (b) applications were (i) granted refugee status and (ii) rejected as (aa) unfounded and (bb) manifestly unfounded; (2) what number of (a) asylum files have been processed through the funded backlog project of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, (b) the processed files have been granted refugee status and (c) backlog files processed have received a final rejection; (3) whether any of the rejected applications have been appealed through a judicial appeal at the high court; if not, why not; if so, what number from each refugee reception centre has been appealed through a judicial appeal?
Reply:
(1)(a) In the period 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2023 the Department processed 15 047 newcomer applications.
(1)(b)(i) 877 cases were granted status
(1)(b)(ii) (aa) 5009 Cases were adjudicated as Unfounded.
(bb) 8415 Cases were adjudicated as one of the Manifestly Unfounded categories for SCRA review
(2)(a) The total number of processed files for the Backlog Project is 10 890.
- Hearings conducted: 3 910
- Notices sent for No Shows: 894
- Paper determinations: 167
- No Show decisions: 406
- Family Joining decisions: 201
- Cancellations/ Withdrawal: 5 312
(2)(b) Of these processed files, 3 872 were rejected.
(2)(c) Of these processed files, 713 were granted refugee status.
(3) Of cases processed and finally rejected, some Appellants have launched Judicial Reviews in terms of Rule 53 of the Uniform Rules of Court. The total number of appeals under review is: 78
- Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre: 59
- Musina Refugee Centre: 5
- Durban Refugee Centre: 9
- Gqheberha Refugee Centre: 3
- Cape Town Refugee Centre: 2
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