References in national newsmedia about a “refugee camp” and “refugee centre” in Musina may create the impression that the South African authorities are in fact providing sheltered care for the unabated stream of refugees from neighbouring Zimbabwe. Exactly the opposite is true.

Observers in Musina point out that these news reports are grossly misleading because, in fact, South Africa is doing exactly nothing to provide in the most basic physical needs of these totally destitute people, who are left at the mercy of their own limited devices and improvised shelters.

Fact is, officials of Home Affairs and the SAPS harass Zimbabwean asylum seekers on a regular basis and even raid international organizations who try to provide humanitarian aid to refugees. The SAPS issued an official warning to the public that it is illegal to assist the Zimbabweans in any way and persist in rounding them up and deporting them back to the life-threatening chaos in Zimbabwe. They continue to refer to these refugees as illegal immigrants, regardless of the fact that Home Affairs’ temporary offices at the show grounds are referred to as a “refugee reception centre,” where temporary asylum documents are issued.

The Home Affairs minister has as yet not used her powers to declare Zimbabweans as refugees, whereby the field could be opened for international agencies to render professional assistance to the Zimbabweans.