By Farren Collins<\/p>\n
Four years after Angolans in South Africa were told they were no longer regarded as refugees\u201a hundreds of them are still trying to find ways to stay in the country.<\/p>\n
Their hopes were boosted when the High Court in Cape Town ordered the minister of home affairs to consider exemptions for permanent residence for former Angolan refugees.<\/p>\n
In 2013\u201a when the UN declared their country safe after years of civil war\u201a Angolan refugees in South Africa were given permits allowing them to stay for two years.<\/p>\n
Many had created new lives and were reluctant to leave but did not meet the requirements for visas or permanent residence\u201a and faced deportation when the permits expired.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese Angolans have been in South Africa a long time and are contributing to the economy\u201a\u201d said Miranda Madikane\u201a director of the Cape Town NGO Scalabrini Centre\u201a which assists migrants. \u201cBut they are generally not skilled enough to obtain work or business permits\u201a which require high levels of skills and\/or large amounts of capital.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angolan ex-refugees given chance to apply for residency in South Africa<\/em><\/p>\n In November\u201a Judge Patrick Gamble ordered home affairs to consider exemption applications from former Angolan refugees\u201a and more than 1\u201a000 have applied.<\/p>\n Home affairs spokesman Mayhlome Tshwete said applicants who claimed to be working had to submit payslips and proof that taxes were being paid\u201a \u201cand if you\u2019re doing business it\u2019s exactly the same. We also want a police clearance so that we know you haven\u2019t committed crimes in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Tshwete said the same arrangements would not necessarily be considered for refugees from other countries.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t say because of this precedent that every time there is a cessation (of war) there is going to be this consideration. There [are] a number of dynamics we look at. We have to look our different relationships with different countries\u201a\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Madikane said the court order offering legal protection from arrest\u201a detention and deportation would not help if applications were rejected.<\/p>\n \u201cWe emphasise this aspect of the process as it will have serious consequences and we urge everyone to make their applications as strong as possible\u201a\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Decisions on applications are expected by May\u201a and Tshwete said rejected applicants were expected to leave willingly. \u201cWe hope it doesn\u2019t get to [deportation]\u201a\u201d he said.<\/p>\n