The IFP welcomed the ruling by the Western Cape High Court on the re-opening
of the offices of the Maitland Refugee Centre in Cape Town.

IFP Spokesperson on Home Affairs, Ms Helen Makhuba MP said, "Firstly we want
to congratulate the role played by the Scalabrini Centre, a non-profit
organisation that assisted migrant communities and displaced people for
bringing the issue of the closure of  the refugee centre before court. I had
also previously raised this issue with the Minister of Home Affairs in
Parliament where I called for the re-opening of this refugee centre, but
this fell on deaf ears. The sad fact is that there are hundreds of refugees
who have been unable to get documentation since last June and who were
forced to go to Musina or Durban if they wanted any help and assistance from
the Department. These refugees lived in constant fear of being detained and
deported to countries where their lives and freedom were at risk. The
Minister and Department owe them an apology."

"I trust that the Maitland Refugee Centre will be re-opened by the
Department without delay and confirm that I will be visiting it in the very
near future to ensure that it is 'business as usual' at the premises," said
Makhuba.