The Anti Privatisation Forum (APF) has joined the Coalition Against Xenophobia's (CAX's) 24-hour picket last weekend, calling for the shutdown of the controversial Lindela repatriation centre.

Around 300 people came together outside the gates of Lindela, in a symbolic demonstration of solidarity for what the coalition considered unfairly treated immigrants.

APF treasurer and key mover behind the demonstration, Dale McKinley, said that the picket went smoothly and that he was happy with the amount of support shown.

The joint coalition demonstrated against the detainment of immigrants at Lindela, which they said was representative of a "complete unwillingness to confront the glaring racism, Afrophobia and violence" in South Africa.

The APF spoke of the lack of South Africa's political will to adopt an open immigration policy, which it said should welcome all African people as a positive addition to the social, economic development of the country, as the problem behind the repatriation centre.

The APF stated that the continued operation of Lindela was an "affront to human dignity, solidarity and equality and to the professed ideals/principles of South Africans' own struggle for liberation as well the South African Constitution".

The joint coalition's call for the immediate shutdown of Lindela is the starting point in a process seeking greater acceptance of immigrants in South Africa.
The APF is an organisation aiming to defend communities against harassment, particularly as a result of privatisation policies, and to protect people against the violation of fundamental constitutional rights.

The CAX is a broad coalition of civil society organisations, social movements and individuals working against xenophobia.

The organisations came together in a symbolic show of unity and solidarity.