Consortium urges UN to probe deadly stampede

The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in SA (Cormsa) has called on the UN Human Rights Council to investigate a stampede that led to the death of an asylum seeker at a Home Affairs office in Pretoria. News24 reports that the incident took place on Tuesday at the Tshwane Refugee Reception Centre, leaving more than 20 people injured. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the deceased was a 35-year-old Malawian national. ‘More than 20 others who sustained injuries were taken to hospital. The police have since opened an inquest docket for investigation.’ Cormsa said the incident reflected growing frustrations among asylum seekers who have endured months of uncertainty and hardship while trying to secure documentation. ‘In the interest of access to justice and respect for human dignity, Cormsa and its member organisations have been advocating for better service delivery at all refugee reception centres around the country by engaging, and addressing the systematic, administrative, and inhumane attitudes when processing and administrating asylum-related matters,’ it said.