'Illegal alien' after 28 years
2003-10-01 22:30
Johannesburg - A Scottish woman may be deported after being married to a South African for 28 years.
Immigration officials branded Brenda Coetzer, 48, from Donkerhoek outside Pretoria as an "illegal immigrant" at Johannesburg Airport last week when she returned from her father's funeral in Scotland.
Although Coetzer claims she has had permanent residence since 1967 and is a South African citizen, officials told her to voluntary leave the country within the next few weeks or run the risk of being deported.
"I have never had problems before. I have always used my South African identity document. Now suddenly it is invalid," Coetzer said.
She was given two weeks to get a new identity document. The cut-off date is on Friday.
Apollo Gopolang, spokesperson for the department of home affairs, confirmed that Coetzer has been a permanent resident in South Africa for the past 27 years.
"At this stage, we do not know why officials at the airport made the decision. The matter is under investigation."
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