South Africa: Another immigrant victory

The Constitutional Court has brought government in line for the second time in less than a week with regard to the treatment of foreigners. The court held that illegal immigrants were entitled to the same rights as South African citizens when visiting SA. Justice Yacoob overturned laws that allowed illegal immigrants entering the country by ship or aircraft to be detained for more than 30 days without a court order, adding that detainees could not be held under intolerable or inhumane circumstances. This ruling, and the one last week that social grants may no longer be limited to South African citizens, has placed obligations on the state to make special provisions for foreign nationals.