PASSOP has been rather interesting lately. Negotiations have been ongoing with the Western Cape Provincial Government (WCPG) about the lawful/unlawful proposed eviction of residents of the De Doorns Refugee Camp, mediated by the South Africa Human Rights Commission. Being in government meetings and playing a role as an intern where you actually are important and have to think on your toes rather than make coffee is quite hectic!

Government wanted to close the camp by May 31st and give the residents the options of:

1.Assisted Repatriation
2.Assisted Reintegration
3.Assisted Resettlement
4.Or, Lawful Eviction

There are between 361-430 residents remaining in the camp depending on who counts. At its inception there were 2,500+

The bone of contention is whether each Camp resident would be given R1000 to assist in options 1,2 or 3. PASSOP is fighting for that money, WCPG refuses to give it. There may be some precedent for the cash payment: members of the Bluewaters camp were ordered to be given the money by a judicial ruling. However, the status of De Doorns refugees is somewhat different so this ruling might not apply. WCPG also contends that a cash payment may inflame residents of the impoverished local townships (If they see sums of money being given to foreigners: Zimbabweans…)

There are other issues. Allegations are that from PASSOP and the De Doorns camp committee (consisting of elected residents of the Camp (Government suspects that they may not be fairly elected–PASSOP asserts they were) that residents have had their belongings thrown out of tents and their tents removed unlawfully. WCPG contends that some of these resident may have unrightfully claimed tents after their original occupants left. Further complications are over a headcount. WCPG claims 361 residents are there based on a night headcount (when the workers return) and has forbidden entry to all those not on that list. PASSOP contends that this is still incomplete as many workers spend overnight at the farms for work. PASSOP claims that intimidation has been used by municipal officials (different from provincial government) to get the refugees to leave. The logistics of returning the refugees back to Zim or to local townships is mind bogglingly complex. WCPG, frustrated with PASSOP, wants to bypass PASSOP and negotiate with the refugees on an individual level.

Personal tensions have flared up between lead actors on either side (no names), and antagonism only makes these issues more intractable. I cannot say that I endorse either view and cannot attest to the veracity of claims on either side, nor write what I really think of the negotiations because of possible implications.

The issue may well go to court in a long and protracted legal battle. The true losers are the refugees, whose farm contracts have ended and who must now wait as their field of dirt turns to mud in the winter rains. As their money runs out for food. And as they remain at the camp with few options and little hope.