MANZINI – Eswatini may be forced to accommodate a high number of illegal immigrants fleeing the discrimination upsurge in neighbouring South Africa.
The illegal immigrants in SA have been given an ultimatum of June 30 to leave the republic or face forced removal which may manifest in the form of violence.
Though some people say they are already seeing a few immigrants in some townships and urban areas of the kingdom, this is yet to be verified. The war against illegal immigrants is being waged by a group that calls itself the March and March, led by Jacinta Ngobe, Phakel’umthakathi and amaBhinca King Ngizwe Mchunu.
Human Rights Lawyer Sipho Gumedze said Eswatini is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and have no choice but to accept them.
Gumedze said the country has been dealing with refugees for over 40 years as there are camps at Malindza and Ndzevane. “As signatories of the convention, we’ve no option but to accommodate all those who will have a credible story and recognised by the UNCHR,” Gumedze said.
This follows that there have been comments insinuating that Eswatini could experience an increase in the number of undocumented migrants crossing its borders, should xenophobic violence in South Africa intensify.
Gumedze said people fleeing conflict, persecution or instability often seek safety in neighbouring countries, making Eswatini a potential destination for those displaced by the unrest.
According to the Gumedze, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants should be treated in line with humanitarian and international legal principles, particularly where their movement has been driven by circumstances beyond their control.
He further stressed the importance of maintaining a compassionate response to displacement, arguing that regional solidarity has historically played a crucial role in assisting populations affected by political and social crises.
While acknowledging that any significant influx would place pressure on available resources, Gumedze said existing refugee facilities could provide temporary accommodation for some arrivals, should the need arise. Meanwhile, Communications Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mlandvo Dlamini said the ministry will only accommodate immigrants who have followed all the necessary procedures and have the requisite paperwork.
He said those who claim to be asylum seekers fleeing certain situations in their country should go to the police station and report before they can be assisted to settle in Eswatini.
Dlamini said those who are not asylum seekers, but just immigrants fleeing the situation in SA should use the official ports of entry and report their reason for coming into Eswatini.
“The bottom line is that everyone must come with valid documents. If all these requirements have been met, then the arms of the country are open to accommodate immigrants. Failure to do all these will lead to Eswatini applying the law on illegal immigrants,” he said.
As the expulsion of illegal immigrants rages on, 300 Ghanaians were repatriated from South Africa amid fears there could be a resurgence of xenophobic violence there.
Ghana’s Government chartered a flight from Johannesburg following a wave of protests, against illegal immigration in South Africa. Further departures are expected in the coming days - roughly 800 Ghanaians registered for repatriation.
A total of 297 Ghanaian citizens arrived on Wednesday, Ghana’s High Commissioner in South Africa, Benjamin Quashie told the BBC.
He added that a mother and her two children were not permitted to leave as she did not have the children’s birth certificates. But the Border Management Authority said the two minors were understood to belong to [the woman’s] sister and she did not have documents to prove her relationship or consent from the alleged sister.
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Phakel’umthakathi, Xolani Khumalo and Umntwana in one of the marches against illegal foreigners in SA. (IOL)