Angolan refugees repatriation deadline extended

Patrick Kawuma Male

We were also joined by Patrick Kawuma Male - Head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) field office in Cape Town and Fatima Chohan - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs in South Africa to talk about the voluntary repatriation of Angolan refugees in South Africa. According to the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs the official cut off date for voluntary repatriation of Angolan refugees in South Africa has been extended to August 31^st, 2013 by cabinet. This emerged after the UNHCR recommended in October 2009 that with the civil war in Angola having ended in 2002, its economy starting to grow and apparent political stability, the refugee status of Angolans be revoked by June 30^th, 2012. According to media reports, the UNHCR would be responsible for flying Angolans home and that the government had given a commitment to resettle and to reintegrate returnees. Angolans who wish to remain in South Africa to live or study could apply for Angolan passports from the consulate and then apply for work and study visas while in South Africa.