The government says overtures have been made to the country to consider receiving a number of Afghan nationals who have sought refuge in Pakistan. South Africa is already home to a substantial number of refugees and is addressing their needs. The department added most of the refugees already benefitted from social assistance and free medical health programmes. The UN said it was bracing itself for a possible exodus of up to 500 000 more Afghan refugees by the end of 2021, AFP reported.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says it will be unable to take in Afghan refugees whose country has fallen under the control of the Taliban.
