AfriForum’s case about the problems that face South Africans who return or are being repatriated to the country will be heard virtually in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria tomorrow. The case concerns, among others, people who are currently returning to South Africa from abroad and who are compelled to remain in quarantine in a state facility for a minimum of 14 days – and that provision is even made for requiring them to pay for their enforced stay (although this is not yet being enforced).

AfriForum has received numerous complaints from people in these facilities over the past three months. Complaints include a lack of medical care and medication, problems to obtain food for detainees with specific dietary requirements, unhygienic conditions in some facilities and that people with tragic personal circumstances cannot get an early release after testing negative. Some specifically repatriated because of crisis situations in their families, but then can do nothing to support their loved ones – even after testing negative, because they still have to sit out the obligatory 14 days.

With this case, AfriForum wants to find solutions to the repatriated citizens’ problems without compromising anyone’s safety.