Home affairs confirms escapees at Lindela Repatriation Centre

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The department of home affairs(DHA) has confirmed an ‘adverse incident’ that took place at Lindela Repatriation Centre on Sunday.

This comes after sixty nine undocumented foreign nationals who were awaiting deportation escaped from the in Krugersdorp.

According to DHA, Lindela is managed by facilities management company, EnvironMongz, which also provides security services on behalf of the Department.

“Our investigation revealed there was an altercation between the inmates and EnvironMongz management and its security team. It was during this altercation that 69 undocumented foreign nationals escaped,” remarked Siya Qoza, the departmental spokesperson.

He further said, the department is unhappy about the circumstances and the manner under which this escape happened because they believe enough could have been done by the management company and its security to prevent this incident. Hence, the contract is being scrutinised to decide on the best course of action.

Qoza added; “As an immediate intervention, the department has taken over the access control and other security functions at the facility by putting a different security company at the gate while the matter is still being investigated.

Escapees part of group to be deported at Lindela

“At the time of the escape, the facility was holding 1 521 undocumented foreign nationals who were awaiting deportation. The 69 escapees were part of this group. Most of these 1 521 undocumented foreign nationals were scheduled to be deported this week.”

Qoza stated that despite the event that took place over the weekend, the department is still proceeding with this scheduled plan to deport to countries of origin. The scheduled deportations are to Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.

He also revealed that as part of this scheduled plan, 622 deportees have departed the facility and that last week, the department deported 1 050 individuals to Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

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“EnviroMongz has informed the department that earlier on Monday morning there was another attempted escape which was immediately brought under control.

“One of the deportees succumbed to injuries that allegedly happened during the second attempted escape. This incident is now subject of police investigation in addition to how the escape occurred. As part of the probe, police have arrested two security officers and they are in custody,” he said.

Meanwhile, Qoza mentioned that the department is working with other law enforcement agencies to track down the escapees and as a result, one escapee has already been re-arrested.