Refugees from South Africa will work for a living.

Our lives are in danger as we are systematically being eliminated by having our families and friends murdered on a daily basis. Where can we go to where we can just do an honest days work without fear of having our throat slit for some small-change and a cell phone? We are hard-working and would like to make a positive contribution to society, anywhere but South Africa. The immigration requirements in various countries all over the world are quite daunting and with our weak currency, starting a business anywhere else seems almost impossible. Has anyone out there got some good advice. The rest of the world does not seem to grasp the reality of how bad things have become in South Africa. I am 46 and work as an IT Manager, been in IT for 26 years. Wife runs a agency business from home. Sons 21 and 22, one is a tour guide on a Game Farm, the other is a computer salesman.

I don't see what the problem is seeing that you are in Namibia.

The problem is we cannot return to our families, our home and where we were born, without fear. Namibia is not our home. The problem is the crime is getting worse all over Southern Africa - Zimbabwe, including Namibia. If you could come and visit us then you will see the problem for yourself. The problem is, the rest of the world does not see the problem because the truth does not seem to reach beyond our borders. Thank you for taking the time to respond. It is really appreciated.

Actually I lived in Namibia for 7 years and in South africa for 12 years. While I agree that crime is a problem, I don't agree that you are a refugee, thats going a bit far. However many South Africans live abroad and there is many legitimate ways to immigrate to other countries. I know trades people are in high demand in Australia whilst Europe generally tries to attract skilled immigrants.

joesoap.. that must have been a while ago. Things have drastically changed in SA recently. I haven't been there since last year July but we also fled for the very reasons that Splodge mentioned. Have you seen what's going on in the news with the hospitals and schools? It was bad a year ago and seems even worse now.

Splodge.. good question. We are trying very hard to stay where we are (Ireland) but it is really REALLY tough even though I'm married to a British citizen. If I find anything out that could be useful to you I'll give you a shout.

Static,
Thank you for confirming the truth about the state of affairs here.

As this is not the platform for debating the issue, I did not want to elaborate any further when it was apparent that all the facts are not generally known to rest of the world.

You should just see the disbelief on the faces of people who come to visit from abroad.

Splodge wrote:Static,
Thank you for confirming the truth about the state of affairs here.

As this is not the platform for debating the issue, I did not want to elaborate any further when it was apparent that all the facts are not generally known to rest of the world.

You should just see the disbelief on the faces of people who come to visit from abroad.

Sure And it is the truth. If people don't believe us... here are some photographs to show what SA looks like now... http://deathofjohannesburg.blogspot.com/ As for immigration.. as we are having such a tough time in Ireland we are concidering Canada and Singapore at the moment. My husband is not keen on Singapore because it's overcrowded and I am not sure if we'll fit in there. Canada apparently takes years and years but could be worthwhile eventually and they apparently like IT people (we both are) I hope you get sorted wherever you decide to go and if it's this way.. give us a shout.

If people don't believe us... here are some photographs to show what SA looks like now...

Don't get me wrong, I am not disagreeing with you, but isn't the problem that in many locations it is all too easy to take pics of places that used to be nice, and now are run down. I could certainly do that here in Birmingham, but it would not prove that things are as bad as in SA.

I could also take pics of places that are now very nice, and might be able to dig out an archive pic of how things used to be.

Sorry the pics you refer to prove nothing.

Your dilemma ... do either you or your spouse qualify for the UK's HSMP?

John wrote:

If people don't believe us... here are some photographs to show what SA looks like now...

Don't get me wrong, I am not disagreeing with you, but isn't the problem that in many locations it is all too easy to take pics of places that used to be nice, and now are run down. I could certainly do that here in Birmingham, but it would not prove that things are as bad as in SA.

I could also take pics of places that are now very nice, and might be able to dig out an archive pic of how things used to be.

Sorry the pics you refer to prove nothing.

Your dilemma ... do either you or your spouse qualify for the UK's HSMP?

My husband is British so that won't be necessary. The only way we can immigrate to the UK is if I go back to SA to get either the D-spouse visa or the EU family permit and I am not able to do that. Both of us are highly skilled IT professionals so I am certain that we'll get sorted out somewhere.

With regards to the photographs.... this is what Johannesburg looks like. It is by no means isolated to certain areas. If you refer to crime stats you will note that South Africa not only has one of the highest murder rates per capita at the moment, it has THE highest rate of rapes per capita as well as second highest in total rates of rape next to America (which has a substantially larger population) I am not going to even get into pedantics such as murders by firearms being almost 1 out of a thousand people in SA... etc etc. I personally don't know a single woman under 45 who has not been raped in SA. Yes, I am bitter and very sad about it all but it is a fact.

The only way we can immigrate to the UK is if I go back to SA to get either the D-spouse visa or the EU family permit and I am not able to do that.

The term "D-spouse visa" means nothing to me, and given that your husband is British you cannot apply for an EU Family Permit, well not to live in the UK. If you intend moving to another EU country, France, Spain etc ... then you would apply to the relevant embassy for an EEA Family Permit.

But you are legally resident in Namibia? If so you can apply for your 2-year UK spouse visa there, in Namibia, using the procedure outlined on this BHC webpage.

John wrote:

The only way we can immigrate to the UK is if I go back to SA to get either the D-spouse visa or the EU family permit and I am not able to do that.

The term "D-spouse visa" means nothing to me, and given that your husband is British you cannot apply for an EU Family Permit, well not to live in the UK. If you intend moving to another EU country, France, Spain etc ... then you would apply to the relevant embassy for an EEA Family Permit.

But you are legally resident in Namibia? If so you can apply for your 2-year UK spouse visa there, in Namibia, using the procedure outlined on this BHC webpage.

Namibia.. I have never even been in Namibia.

Static, apologies, obviously confusing you with the OP here.

My husband is British so that won't be necessary. The only way we can immigrate to the UK is if I go back to SA to get either the D-spouse visa or the EU family permit and I am not able to do that. Both of us are highly skilled IT professionals so I am certain that we'll get sorted out somewhere.

OK, your IP address reveals that you are in another EU country. So assuming your British Citizen spouse has been exercising EU Treaty Rights in that country for at least 6 months, why don't you apply there for an EEA Family Permit using the Surinder Singh route.

Or a 2-year spouse visa using UK legislation. (The term D-spouse visa continues to mean nothing to me.)

John wrote:Static, apologies, obviously confusing you with the OP here.

My husband is British so that won't be necessary. The only way we can immigrate to the UK is if I go back to SA to get either the D-spouse visa or the EU family permit and I am not able to do that. Both of us are highly skilled IT professionals so I am certain that we'll get sorted out somewhere.

OK, your IP address reveals that you are in another EU country. So assuming your British Citizen spouse has been exercising EU Treaty Rights in that country for at least 6 months, why don't you apply there for an EEA Family Permit using the Surinder Singh route.

Or a 2-year spouse visa using UK legislation. (The term D-spouse visa continues to mean nothing to me.)

We are in Ireland and because of the situation with the Irish immigration authorities we are in limbo. We will try to apply for an EEA family permit but I know two people in my situation who have attempted that and got penalised on the basis that 'legally residing' for 6 months implies having an actual residence permit. We don't have that. If you have a look at the Irish forum you'll see the situation we are in.

OK, I take that point. Hopefully the forthcoming Irish Court ruling will clarify the matter once and for all.

Refugees from Zimbabwe are flooding South Africa


http://www.guardian.co.uk/zimbabwe/arti ... ss&feed=12