Info Every Refugee in Cape Town Needs to Know

a) You Have the Right to Apply for Asylum -

It is your legal right to apply for asylum.  Everyone has this right. You cannot be legally denied your right to apply.

-          You must report to the queue at Cape Town refugee reception centre, at the Nyanga Industria next to the Airport (1).

-          With temporary asylum status, you can live and work in South Africa for 3-6 months.

-          If you are denied asylum, you can appeal this decision within 30 days.

-          If your spouse or family members are trying to join you, go to the Nyanga Department of Home Affairs Office, (021 386 2310) to do a family joining (2).

-          Do not pay anybody money for your papers.  If you are involved in corruption you can be arrested; be very careful, even government officials arrested for corruption.

-          Report any corruption to PASSOP (076 101 1324)--corruption only leads to a longer wait for all.

b) If You Are Arrested for Being Undocumented and Do Not Wish to be Deported:

-          Do NOT sign the deportation consent form.

-          Clearly state that you intend to apply for asylum seeker status.

-          Have a friend or family member contact the LRC, UCT Law Clinic or PASSOP (see contact list below).

-          Make every effort to put your application for asylum in as soon as possible.

-          Note:  Report any abuse by police to PASSOP, TAC, ALP, LRC, or the Law Clinic.

c) You Have the Right to ARVs, TB Treatment and Basic Medical Care

-          Even if you do not have papers (section 23 permit, or legal status) you are able to go to hospitals and clinics if necessary.

-          Even if you are unable to pay they must still give you the necessary assistance.

-          Hospitals and clinics must give you free ARVs and TB Medicine if you need treatment.

-          If you have questions, are denied treatment or need further information, please contact the TAC (Treatment Action Campaign) at 086 136 3448, 3rd Floor, Westminster House, 122 Longmarket St. (3) or PASSOP (076 101 1324)

-          Hospitals and clinics include:  Groote Schuur Hospital, 021 404 9111, Observatory; Red Cross Children’s Hospital, 021 658 5111, Rondebosch; Somerset Hospital, 021 402 6911, Green Point; Victoria Hospital, 021 799 1111, Wynberg; False Bay Hospital, 021 782 1121, Fish Hoek; Mowbray Maternity Hospital, 021 659 5543; Bellville Hospital 021 941 7000; Beaufort West Hospital 023 414 3427; Cape Town Hospital, 021 460 5911; George Hospital, 044 801 1200; Knysna Hospital, 044 382 3250; Mitchells Plain Hospital 021 376 1771; Paarl Hospital, 021 872 2020; GF Jooste Hospital, 021 690 1000, Manenberg; and for Ambulance Emergency Services call:  10177.

d) You Have Employment Rights Regardless of Your Documentation Status

-          You must be paid minimum wage of at least 8 Rand/hour.

-          If you work overtime (more than 40 hrs/week or 12 hrs/day), you must be paid time and a half.

-          Your employer must pay you, regardless of your documentation status

-          If you are not paid, contact legal aide (see list below) AND the Department of Labour:  (021 460 5911), Thomas Boydell Building, Parade Street (4).

e) If You Need Free Legal Assistance, These Contacts are Available:

-          LRC (Legal Resource Centre):  021 481 3000.  54 Shortmarket St. M-F 08:30-13:00, 14:00-16:30 (5).

-          AIDS Law Project:  021 717 8600.

-          UCT Law Clinic:  021 650 3775.  4th Level, Kramer Law School Building, Middle Campus, UCT. M-Th 08:30- 13:00.

-          Legal Aide Clinic, Wynberg:  021 799 1846.

-          Legal Aide Clinic, UWC:  021 959 3421

f) If You Need Welfare:

-          Cape Town Refugee Centre:  021 762 9670. 1st Floor Wynberg Centre, 123 Main Rd, Wynberg.

-          Scalibrini Centre of Cape Town:  021 465 6433. 47 Commercial St.

-          Bonne Esperance Shelter for Women and Children: 021 691 8664. 4 Lower Ottery Rd, Philippi.

-          Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture:  021 465 7373. 126 Chapel St, Woodstock.

-          Adonis Musati Project:(please email passop for contact details) Food Handouts and humanitian aid                             at the  refugee receiption centre.

-          Loaves and Fishes: 021 448 5900. 1 Lower Rochester St, Mowbray.

-          The Haven: 021 762 8243, 16 Piers Rd, Wynberg; 021 671 4209, 5 Fir St, Claremont; 021 421 6219, 2 Napier St, Green Point; 021 761 0946, 9 Polaris Rd, Lansdowne; 021 465 1310, 20 Selkirk St, Cape Town.

-          St Anne’s: 021 448 6792, 46 Balfour St, Woodstock

-          The Carpenter Shop: 021 461 5508, 14a Roeland St, Cape Town.