Madam Deputy Speaker, the reply to the question is as follows. All asylum seekers can approach refugee reception offices for assistance. As far as I am aware, there is no court decision that requires the Department of Home Affairs to assist asylum seekers in Cape Town. The court decision I am aware of was in regard to the closure of the Maitland office. As the hon member will be aware, we have appealed this decision and we are awaiting the decision of the court. So, since it is a sub judice matter, I do not know to what degree I am compelled to go further into the matter.
With respect to the second part of the question, the Department of Home Affairs is not obliged to assist asylum seekers and refugees with their travelling and accommodation costs. In terms of the Refugees Act of 1998, which the hon Ambrosini will remember very well, the onus is on asylum seekers to report at a designated refugee reception office within 14 days of entering South Africa to apply for asylum.
With respect to subsection (3) of the question, we are currently developing a plan for establishing appropriately located refugee reception offices. Thank you.