Executive mayor Amos Masondo cuts the ribbon to officially open the migrant helpdesk

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IMBABWEANS top the list of people who have visited the City's Migrant Helpdesk seeking information, since it was launched in April. More than 119 foreigners have consulted the centre, which helps migrants with information, ranging from shelter and asylum papers to healthcare and education-related issues. "We are meeting our purpose of having a helpdesk," said Virgil James, the City spokesperson. "We assist, make referrals and point foreigners in the right direction."

Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, the member of the mayoral committee for community development, said the helpdesk was an information service-provider focusing on the needs of asylum seekers and refugees. It had information on community networks, economic opportunities and services such as counselling, legal help and shelter.

"There is even help where language barriers might exist, mainly with French, Portuguese and Swahili speakers," she said.

People visiting the helpdesk come from all over Africa, with 78 percent originating from Zimbabwe; the balance come from Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Most of the migrants are males - only a small number are female and very few children use it. "We have experienced a couple of cases where we had to deal with unaccompanied children," James said. "Their cases are handled differently - they are referred to the children's court and they are given psychological assistance. They are also offered shelter and counselling to help them settle in a new environment."

Many of the migrants are highly qualified, with BSc (bachelor of science) degrees in mathematics, statistics and geology. "Some of the visitors have masters degrees. There are some who are qualified educators [or are qualified in] aviation, engineering, nursing and information technology," James said.

Celebrating the launch of a helpdesk in the City

However, the centre was also visited by less-educated people, such as informal traders, shoemakers and others.

Trauma and depression are common among the refugees. "Remember these people left their countries because of wars and extreme poverty and when they come here and encounter unfair treatment, they become very depressed."

He said that migrants also needed help to repatriate bodies for burial and to trace their families and friends. Others needed medical attention for chronic illnesses.

Challenges faced by asylum seekers and refugees continue to make their lives as foreigners in another country difficult. James explained that they complained of several problems they experienced in South Africa, such as harassment from law enforcers, xenophobia, and unclear and often ambiguous Home Affairs processes.

"In terms of unfair treatment from the public, foreigners can report to the helpdesk with full proof of what happened and the centre will be able to assist in such matters."

Illegal immigrants
Of those seeking help, 82 percent are undocumented, meaning that they came into the country illegally. Migrants affect the country's economy, social welfare, healthcare services and education.

"We always refer undocumented foreigners to the Department of Home Affairs for the necessary documentation because the helpdesk cannot help anyone who cannot be traced. We need to know where these people are coming from and their reasons for leaving their country.

"We have what we call a receiver officer at Home Affairs; he is the one who will interview a refugee. He will find out why they moved out of their countries and look at a number of things like the Refugees Act, the Constitution and the Administrative Act," James explained.

At the end of May, the national department held a two-day workshop on migration processes for City officials and representatives from the South African Police Service, Johannesburg metropolitan police department and migrant forums.

The City has a helpdesk in place to help new-comers to Joburg

"The aim of the workshop was to make people understand the processes that qualify the migrant [with a] refugees status. The workshops also raised some awareness that foreigners are people just like us and they are seeking a better life for themselves," James said.

The Migrant Helpdesk is situated in downtown Joburg, next to the People's Centre on Loveday Street. It is opposite the licensing department.

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