1. The decisions of the first and fifth respondents on 17 October 2006 and 21 July 2011, dismissing the applicant’s application for refugee status and asylum and his subsequent appeal against such dismissal, respectively, are reviewed and set aside.

2. It is declared that the applicant is a refugee entitled to asylum in the Republic of South Africa in terms of section 3 of the Refugees Act 130 of 1998.

3. The third respondent is directed to issue to the applicant written recognition of refugee status in terms of section 27(a) of the Refugees Act within ten days of the date of this order.

4. The third respondent is ordered to pay the costs of this application.