Lea Koekemoer
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Identifying Conditions of Precarity: A gender analysis of Lindela Repatriation Centre by Lea Koekemoer Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of “Master of International Studies” in the Faculty of Political Science at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Professor Amanda Gouws December 2020 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party right and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. December 2020 Copyright © 2020 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract Precarity has traditionally been viewed as a means to understand economic and social conditions affecting people, and more recently women. However, the work of Judith Butler has placed precarity within the body politics and particularly those who are detained by the carceral state. In this study, the researcher argues that there are three areas which have varying conditions of precarity: the first within the country of origin, thereafter conditions present in the host country and lastly those experienced while detained. Lindela Repatriation Centre has been used as a site of research by a number of scholars, but few have examined it as a site of precarity. The aim of this research is to add to the understanding of precarity among migrants; but more specifically to determine if there is a difference in the ways in which men and women experience precarity. The researcher identified various dimensions of precarity and these were further aggregated by gender. She made use of qualitative semi- structured interviews with participants drawn from those detained at Lindela Repatriation Centre. Overall conditions of precarity identified include: precarious reasons for leaving (country of origin) which included political, social and economic conditions; circumstances of arrest and criminalisation of migration. Furthermore, conditions of precarity at Lindela include: power over bodies, spatiality and prison-like detention, punitive means of punishment, separation from support structures, deportation and sustenance. Further conditions include suspension of rights, verbal and physical attacks, and lastly the attitudes of officials. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Opsomming Onsekerheid (precarity) word tradisioneel verstaan as ’n manier om ekonomiese en sosiale kondisies te begryp wat mense, en meer onlangs vrouens, beïnvloed. Die werk van Judith Butler het onsekerheidt binne die politieke liggaam geplaas, veral vir diegene wat gevange gehou word deur die staat wat gevangehouding prioretiseer. Hierdie navorsing redeneer dat daar drie areas bestaan waarin daar ’n variasie van van onsekerheid vir migrante voorkom, eers binne die land van oorsprong, later teenwoordig is in die gasheerland en laastens ervaar word terwyl hulle in aanhouding is. Lindela Repatriasie Sentrum word gebruik as ’n plek van navorsing deur menigte navorsers, maar min literatuur het daarna gekyk as ’n plek van onsekerheid . Die doel van die navorsing is om by te dra tot die bergrip van onsekerheid onder migrante, maar meer spesifiek om vas te stel of daar ’n verskil is tussen hoe mans en vrouens onsekerheid ervaar. Die navorsing het verskillende dimensies van onsekerheid identifiseer, en ondersoek met betrekking tot geslag. Die navorsing maak gebruik van kwalitatiewe, semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met ‘n proefgroep van migrante wat in Lindela Repatriasie Sentrum aangehou is. In die geheel is voorwaardes van onsekerheid wat geidentifieseer is: onsekerheid van bestaan in die land van herkoms wat bydra tot vertrek, insluitend politieke, sosiale en ekonomiese toestande; en omstandighede van arrestasie en kriminalisering van migrasie. Situasies van onsekerheid by Lindela sluit in: mag oor liggame, ruimtelikheid en aanhouding wat soortgelyk is as in tronke, strawwe wat toegepas word, skeiding van ondersteuningstrukture, ‘n gebrek aan voeding en deportasie. Verdere voorwaardes sluit in opskorting van regte, verbale en fisieke aanvalle, en laastens die houding van amptenare teenoor migrante. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements The exploration I have undertaken in this thesis began with a conversation and has led me to my passion. Though the process was often difficult, completing this masters has taught me about my resilience and perseverance. I am proud to be not only the first person in my family to complete a masters degree but also the first woman to do so. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the NRF for the financial support through the SARChi Gender Chair, it would not have been possible to undertake this challenge without the support. Firstly, I would like to wholeheartedly thank Professor Gouws, for her support, guidance and encouragement. Our many meetings and discussions over the years have taught me invaluable lessons and to think critically about the world. Without your support and encouragement, I would not have accomplished this today. Thank you for believing in my ability to conduct this research. Secondly, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my parents, Annalie and Michael. Your unconditional love, support and belief in me has been the fuel I have needed when I did not feel like I could complete this task. To my sister, Ina, thank you for everything, most especially for listening to all my ideas and rantings. I do not have the words to express how deeply I appreciate you. Lastly, to my dearest friends who have all lent your support in your unique ways, thank you. Caitlin, thank you for your continuous support and walking this road with me from Honours to now. Marianca, you have been a rock for me and someone I can always count on, thank you and congratulations on your PhD! iv Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abbreviations BOSASA: A company notable for its appearance in the Zondo Commission; a South African company specialized in providing services to the government. Most notable are the prison management services which they provide for the South African government. The company has been deeply implicated in the Zondo Commission of Inquiry. CBD: Central Business District DHA: Department of Home Affairs HIV/AIDs: Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome LHR: Lawyers for Human Rights Lindela: Lindela Repatriation Centre NGOs: Non-Governmental Organizations NPM: National Preventive Torture Mechanism OPCAT: Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment RRO: Refugee Reception Office SAHRC: South African Human Rights Commission SAPS: South African Police Service Scalabrini: The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is a non-profit organization offering specialized services to refugees, migrants and South Africans. UNHCR: United National High Commission for Refugees US: United States of America/ United States v Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za List of Figures Figure 1 Sketch of Lindela ....................................................................................................... 56 Figure 2 Picture of Lindela from the road ............................................................................. 134 Figure 3 Picture of the entrance to Lindela ............................................................................ 134 Figure 4 One of the open areas in Lindela ............................................................................. 135 Figure 5 Women's cells .......................................................................................................... 135 List of Tables Table 1 Summary of Interviews ............................................................................................... 36 Table 2 Questionnaire Structure and Set-up ............................................................................ 37 Table 3 Data Analysis Process ................................................................................................. 39 Table 4 Condensed themes ...................................................................................................... 48 Table 5 Disaggregation of Participants .................................................................................... 77 vi Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of Contents DECLARATION...................................................................................................................... I ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. II OPSOMMING....................................................................................................................... III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................. IV ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................. V LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................. VI LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................