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africanews

South Africa is deporting 22 Ugandans who were detained over charges of breaking immigration laws last year.
south africa
The detainees between ages 23-50 were arrested during the Christmas season. South African officials said they entered the country illegally while others had expired visas.

Ugandan delegation led by Internal Affairs State Minister Matia Kasaija has visited the 22 Ugandans who were detained at South African repatriation centre in Krugersdorp last week.

Some of the detainees had admitted they were without valid papers or visas.

“We are not criminals, we only came to seek greener pastures, earn an extra coin and invest home,” a member of the delegation quoted some of the captives as telling the Ugandan officials, according to Daily Monitor.

Kasaija has confirmed that the detainees will be sent home any time soon. He urged Ugandans to use valid papers when embarking on trips abroad.

“Having a passport is a right. No one should risk life again in such a way,” Kasaija said.

The Ugandan detainees would be repatriated in two batches beginning from this week.