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Blind Zim couple refused asylum
Sunday Times (UK)
August 29, 2006

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/basket17st/basket17st1156828223.aspx

A blind Zimbabwean couple has been refused asylum in South Africa because their claim was based on "economic and social difficulties" encountered in their country.

Musekiwa Chivava, 33, his wife Zandaziva, also 33, were informed by the Cape Town Refugee Affairs office that their application had been rejected.

"After considering your claim, the provisions of Section 3 of the Refugees Act, as well as the information available on your country of origin's conditions, I came to the conclusion that you do not meet the requirements of a refugee, and therefore your application is hereby rejected as manifestly unfounded," the rejection read in part. It was signed by DD George, Refugee Status Determination Officer at the Cape Town Refugee Reception Centre.

The letter further stated that the applicants were applying for asylum because they wanted to earn a living in South Africa and also wanted church leaders to help them.

"[The] claim is based on economic and social difficulties... encountered in Zimbabwe. [It] is clearly outside the ambit of the Refugees Act, as there is no element of persecution present, as required by the Act in terms of Section 3(a) nor was there any compelling reason presented... in terms of section 3(b) of the Act," read the rejection letter.

The letter further said the couple's application would be submitted to the standing committee on Refugee Affairs in "due course" to which a representative of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees would also be invited.

The blind couple who gave their residential address as No 14 Chaptam Court Johannesburg, had come to Cape Town to extend their temporary permit issued to them on July 21.

"We are living at the home of a well-wisher in Cape Town who found us living at the railway station," said Chivava.

The political and economic hardships created by the seizure of white-owned farms in 1999 have pushed thousands of Zimbabweans to South Africa where most of them have applied for refugee status. Sapa

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