On 6 May 2020, AfriForum celebrated an important victory when the Northern Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that the Zithabeseni quarantine camp, where more than a hundred people were being detained, had to be closed immediately. The case specifically dealt with this camp and the people who were in quarantine there at the time.

The court order is of significance to all South Africans who want to return to the country. It makes it easier for them to claim decent quarantine conditions (which at least comply with the WHO’s standards), for testing that takes place as soon as possible, and also paves the way for legal action to give them the choice of quarantine in a state facility, or self-isolation.

Currently, the court order does not provide any right to evade quarantine measures, nor does it guarantee testing or the right to self-isolation. AfriForum is therefore engaged in legal action in this regard and will keep the public informed of our progress through our social media channels.

We have the greatest sympathy for South Africans stranded outside the borders, but AfriForum is not able to assist with travel arrangements. Repatriation is a humanitarian process facilitated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and anyone who is still outside the borders of the country, wishing to return to South Africa, should keep in touch with DIRCO on an ongoing basis. The contact details of the command centre coordinating repatriation are +27 12 351 1754; +27 12 351 1756; Cicc1@dirco.gov.za; or Cicc2@dirco.gov.za.