'Our system is being abused’ — Clayson Monyela on Afghan asylum seekers debacle

Monyela accused the high court of forcing South Africa into accepting the asylum seekers.

“The ministry of home affairs gave me more details. These 22 Afghans were in Zim for a month as tourists. They tried entering as asylum seekers. We refused and they went to Zambia, which also granted them tourists visas. The NGO wants the court to force us to accept them. No,” he said.

Speaking on eNCA, home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi accused the NGO of using the legal system to undermine and ambush South Africa’s sovereignty.

He said government will challenge the court order.

“We are being undermined. There’s a belief you can go to South Africa and do whatever you want at any time you want, and the constitution and legal system of the country will allow you to do so.”