FRAIL CARE CENTRE STRUGGLES WITH UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS

By Precious Mupenzi

• The Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre in Tsakane is struggling to accommodate undocumented migrants who were transferred from a fire-damaged NPO.
• The centre has faced difficulties in securing support from relevant embassies, despite efforts to reach out through the Department of Home Affairs.
• The Department of Social Development has acknowledged the situation and is working to address it through a Memorandum of Understanding with the involved countries.

At the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre in Tsakane, the issue of undocumented migrants poses a significant challenge. The centre has been accommodating these individuals, but the situation remains problematic due to their undocumented status. The home has faced difficulties in securing support from relevant embassies, despite efforts to reach out through the Department of Home Affairs.

The undocumented migrants at the centre were transferred from a non-profit organisations (NPOs) that could no longer operate due to emergency as the facility caught fire, destroying the facilities. Molefi Makhele, the Head of the centre, shared these challenges during a recent visit by the Kingdom of Lesotho’s Ministry of Children and Social Development, part of a Lesotho’s Learning Visit mission to South Africa.

Makhele highlighted that attempts to engage with embassies for support have been unsuccessful. This issue becomes even more complicated when a client passes away, as there are no proper documents or known family connections. The embassies’ assistance is crucial, particularly when clients wish to be reunited with their families in their home countries. Currently, the facility is housing three undocumented migrants from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Congo. A fourth individual from Mozambique has absconded. These clients were transferred to the centre following a fire at a neighbouring facility that damaged its property.

In response to these concerns, Mr. Mswazi Hlungwane, the Department of Social Development’s Director for International Relations, acknowledged the situation. He emphasised that the matter is receiving serious attention and will be fast-tracked through a Memorandum of Understanding with the involved countries. Hlungwane reiterated that it is the Department’s mandate to protect older persons, regardless of their citizenship status however, he stressed that through the existing MOU with these countries this matter could be resolved. We will continue strengthen collaborations with embassies to ensure that elderly migrants receive the care and dignity they deserve.