KAMPALA, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Nearly 100 police officers from the Democratic Republic of Congo fled to neighbouring Uganda over the weekend as fighting between M23 rebels and the military in Congo`s east intensified, a Ugandan military spokesperson said on Monday.
The officers arrived via the Ishasha border crossing in Kanungu district in southwestern Uganda, Major Kiconco Tabaro, a regional spokesperson for the Uganda People`s Defence Forces, said.

The 98 officers arrived with 43 guns and ammunition and were subsequently disarmed.
`They were fleeing fighting by M23 and other militias and the Congo military, there`s a lot of violence there and then there`s also hunger,` Tabaro said.
Over the past four days at least 2,500 more Congolese refugees have arrived in Uganda fleeing the raging violence across the border, he said.
`The main push factor is the intensifying violence and insecurity,` Tabaro said, adding that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children were among the refugees.

The M23 has been waging a fresh insurgency in Congo`s militia-plagued east since 2022. A United Nations report seen by Reuters last month said the Ugandan army has provided support to the Tutsi-led rebel group, a charge Uganda denies.
The U.N. has long accused Uganda`s neighbour Rwanda of backing the M23, which has repeatedly seized large parts of mineral-rich eastern Congo, allegations Rwanda denied.

Efforts by Congo`s military to push back the rebels have intensified over the past year with the use of drones and aircraft, although the rebels have still expanded territory under their control.
In June, the M23 seized the town of Kanyabayonga, whose location on high ground makes it a coveted gateway to other parts of eastern Congo`s North Kivu province.
Fighting in North Kivu has driven more than 1.7 million people from their homes, taking the total number of Congolese displaced by multiple conflicts to a record 7.2 million, according to U.N. estimates.

On Monday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, as students targeted her office.

Hasina had first insisted protests were the work of opposition parties, then blamed terrorists, and she and her family called on security forces to prevent her ouster.

But underlying youth unemployment saw protests about a job-reservation scheme morph into a direct demand for her removal.

This is how Bangladesh`s protests evolved.

From job reservation to anti-PM protests

The `Students Against Discrimination` group, which was at the forefront of last month`s job quota protests also led the demonstrations calling for Hasina to step down.

The protests to reform the quota system paused after the Supreme Court scrapped most quotas on 21 July. Protesters, however, returned last week demanding a public apology from Hasina for the violence, the restoration of internet connections, the reopening of college and university campuses, and release of those arrested.

READ | Bangladesh top court scraps most job quotas that triggered deadly protests

By the weekend, the demonstrations spiralled into a campaign seeking Hasina`s ouster as demonstrators demanded justice for people killed last month.

The students` group called for a nationwide non-cooperation movement starting Sunday with a single-point agenda: Hasina must resign.

The protesters blamed Hasina`s government for the violence during the protests in July. Hasina`s critics and rights groups have accused her government of using excessive force against protesters, a charge the government denies.

From blaming the opposition to blaming `terrorists`

Hasina and her government initially said students were not involved in the violence during the quota protests and blamed the Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the clashes and arson.

But after violence erupted again on Sunday, Hasina said that `those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilise the nation`.

The students group has declined Hasina`s offer for talks to resolve the crisis.

A half-century-old quota system

The contentious quota system was introduced in 1972 after Bangladesh gained independence, with the stated intention of redressing past imbalances.

Around half of all government jobs were subject to o the quotas, with 10% going to women, 10% to people from disadvantaged districts, and 5% to ethnic minorities.

But a third of the quota jobs were reserved for the children and grandchildren of freedom fighters.

Youth unemployment

Demonstrations started at university campuses in June after the High Court reinstated a quota system for government jobs, overturning a 2018 decision by Hasina`s government to scrap it.

The Supreme Court suspended the high court order after the government`s appeal and then dismissed the lower court order last month, directing that 93% of jobs should be open to candidates on merit.

But the underlying cause of the unrest, experts said, was stagnant job growth in the private sector, making public sector jobs, with their accompanying regular wage hikes and privileges, very attractive.

The quotas sparked anger among students grappling with high youth unemployment, as nearly 32 million young people are out of work or education in a population of 170 million.

The flagging economy, once among the world`s fastest growing on the back of the country`s booming garments sector, has stagnated. Inflation hovers around 10% per annum and dollar reserves are shrinking.

More than 1 100 people have signed a petition calling on the government of Zimbabwe to review a decision to hike the cost of a passport by nearly 50%.

On 26 July, the Zimbabwean consulate in Johannesburg announced that the price of a passport would rise from $170 (about R3 100) to $250 (about R4 540).

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has directed that all e-Passports applications that are processed at the Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, shall be handled as express/emergency applications in terms of Statutory Instrument 1 of 2024,” the consulate said.

“In effect, this means passport application fees for the express/emergency passport shall be USD250.00 charged at the prevailing USD/ZAR exchange rate with effect from Monday 29 July 2024.”

Read: South Africa to consult over fate of long-term Zimbabwe migrants

The Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, which aims to represent the interests of Zimbabweans, launched a petition on 30 July.

The petition said: “This fee is far beyond what many Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa can afford, considering the average earnings of our community. It’s an overwhelming burden that prevents us from securing our legal documents which are part and parcel of our fundamental human rights. We believe everyone, regardless of their economic conditions, has a right to their own nationality. We call upon the Zimbabwean government to reassess these fees and reduce them to a fair amount.”

The petition had gathered over 1 100 signatures as of the morning of Friday 2 August.

The chair of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Ngqabutho Mabhena, said:

“The Zimbabwean passport is very expensive. Government wants to use the passport as a tool to raise money.”

A Zimbabwean who lives in Cape Town and whose passport expires in two weeks said he would get his application for a new passport processed at the consulate in Cape Town but courier the application to Zimbabwe so that he could pay the old rate of $170.

“I can not afford the new price because I have a family to feed and rent to pay,” he said.

“The Zimbabwean government is heartless,” said another Zimbabwean, an informal trader living in Gqeberha. “We are suffering in foreign countries because of their mismanagement of our country, and they now milk us dry like this.”

Read: Zimbabweans complain about Home Affairs incompetence

Chris Mapingure, chair of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, said the government of Zimbabwe should consider low-income earners in South Africa.

“The majority of them do not have formal jobs. They’re earning less than R5 000 per month. Many people won’t afford this amount and a lot of people will remain undocumented.”

Response from Zimbabwean ambassador

Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, responding to a request for comment from GroundUp, explained that there are two passport prices: “The first is the ordinary passport that costs USD170 and the second is the express/emergency that is charged USD250.”

But all passport applications made in South Africa are now being handled as express/emergency.

Read: ConCourt rejects appeal of Zimbabwe deportation ruling

“We have taken note of the reactions by our nationals in respect of the cost of the e-passport/express and we’re engaging our government to be aware of these responses,” said Hamadziripi.

“The Embassy in Pretoria and the Johannesburg and Cape Town Consulates implement government policies so when we have reactions from our citizens we make our government aware of these national concerns.”
© 2024 GroundUp. This article was first published here.

Chidimma Adetshina’s success should be a reason to celebrate SA’s diverse heritage
The SA Citizenship Act of 1995 outlines the criteria for citizenship, which were revised after January 2013. The act now uniformly grants citizenship to individuals born to an SA citizen, regardless of where they are born.
Before this change, the law distinguished between those born within and outside the country. Before January 2013, a child born abroad to an SA parent was entitled to citizenship by descent, whereas those born in SA to a citizen or permanent resident were automatically citizens.
After the 2013 amendments, children born in SA to permanent resident permit holders are classified as foreigners unless one parent is an SA citizen, and they qualify for citizenship status only at the age of 18. Moreover, citizenship by descent is now limited to children adopted under the Children’s Act, emphasising that one parent must be an SA citizen at the time of adoption.
We should allow Adetshina and her family to celebrate her achievement without undue scrutiny
SA also maintains a flexible stance on dual or multiple citizenships. The Citizenship Act requires South Africans to obtain prior written consent from the home affairs minister when acquiring another citizenship through naturalisation, excluding cases involving marriage or minors.
The “automatic loss” provision, where citizens lose their status if they obtain foreign citizenship without consent, was challenged by the DA in the Supreme Court of Appeal. We await the Constitutional Court`s confirmation of its ruling, which aligns with the DA’s push for more inclusive and transparent citizenship laws.
Citizenship is more than a legal designation; it embodies a connection to one’s nation, culture and heritage. For many, holding dual or multiple citizenships is practical, offering benefits such as easier travel and broader opportunities. It does not diminish their identity or loyalty to their country of origin.
Since being announced as a Miss SA contestant on July 1, Chidimma Adetshina has faced intense scrutiny, including accusations of favouritism towards Nigeria after a video showed her celebrating with Nigerian relatives. But why should this be an issue? It’s natural to share successes with loved ones, regardless of their nationality.
Perhaps Adetshina is sharing these moments with her Nigerian family because she takes pride in showing them how she is also representing their heritage on an international stage. After all, Trevor Noah shared his achievements with his Swiss father on finding success in the US.
Adetshina has proudly declared: “I am proudly South African and Nigerian,” symbolising peace and unity. This duality should be respected, as it embodies the spirit of inclusivity and the celebration of diverse cultural identities. Her actions highlight the positive expression of dual identity, fostering a sense of connection and pride across borders.
For many years Africa has been working towards greater unity, including developing a pan-African passport to enable visa-free travel across the continent. This aligns with the EU model, fostering co-operation and unity. Instead of harbouring suspicions, we should embrace our shared heritage and be more welcoming to all Africans. Adetshina’s dual identity can serve as a positive example of this unity.
Adding to the complexity, sport, arts & culture minister Gayton McKenzie has called for an “investigation” into Adetshina’s national allegiance, reflecting broader societal tensions about national identity and xenophobia.
The EFF has condemned the “Afrophobic” scrutiny she faces, noting that past Miss SA contestants with foreign parents of white or Asian descent have not encountered a similar backlash. This disparity reveals a deeper xenophobic undercurrent, often worsened by socioeconomic issues such as unemployment and crime, which have fuelled movements such as Operation Dudula that target African immigrants.
Adetshina meets all of the requirements to be a contestant in Miss SA, which include being an SA citizen. While the department of home affairs’ records are not always infallible, they do not hastily grant citizenship status. Should there be any error, the department would need to prove it.
Nonetheless, the law is clear: if Adetshina’s mother was an SA citizen or a permanent residence permit holder at the time of her birth, she is an SA citizen by law, regardless of any clerical errors or public debate. We must all respect the law, which affirms her citizenship.
As the debate about Adetshina continues, it serves as a critical reminder to celebrate SA’s diverse heritage and uphold the principles of unity and diversity that define our nation. It is essential to focus on inclusivity and respect for the legal framework that governs citizenship.
We should allow Adetshina and her family to celebrate her achievement without undue scrutiny. Rather than questioning her nationality, we should focus on the excitement and joy the Miss SA pageant brings. This event is an opportunity to showcase the beauty, talent and diversity of our country. It highlights the strength and resilience of SA women, uniting us in a celebration of shared values and aspirations.
Let’s embrace this spirit of unity and pride, cheering on all contestants as they represent the multifaceted culture and vibrancy of our nation

A Home Affairs official has been sentenced to 35 years imprisonment in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in KwaZulu-Natal for her involvement in a large-scale fraudulent passport scheme.

Judith Salome Zuma was convicted on charges of corruption, fraud, and violations of the Identification Act and the Immigrations Act.

The spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks), Colonel Philani Nkwalase said Zuma was arrested on December 13, 2021.

“The meticulous investigation by the Hawks together with the Department of Home Affairs revealed that she was aiding a criminal network outside her jurisdiction at the Richards Bay Home Affairs office, exploiting vulnerable South Africans by luring them with money ranging between R300 and R500 for fingerprints used to obtain illegal passports for foreign nationals. These illicit activities were conducted at the Durban Home Affairs office situated on Commercial Street during the night, weekends, and public holidays,” Nkwalase said.

He said the probe further revealed that for each fake passport issued, Zuma received R4,000 amounting to a total of R768,000 from 192 fraudulent passports.

Zuma pleaded guilty to 1,159 charges brought against her, including a R10,000 gratification charge aimed at influencing another Home Affairs official to drop an investigation against her.

Zuma was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for 192 counts of fraud, six years imprisonment for three counts of corruption, and 10 years for 192 counts of corruptly accepting gratification.

She was also sentenced to a further five years imprisonment for 385 counts of contravening the Identification Act and another four years imprisonment for 386 counts of contravening the Immigration Act. She will serve an effective 12 years imprisonment.

National head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya applauded the collaborative effort by the Department of Home Affairs, the Hawks as well as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and said the sentence, underscores a strong stance against corruption.

“This sentence serves as a stern warning to those who corruptly or fraudulently facilitate the influx of foreign nationals in our country,” Lebeya said.