A new law passed in South Africa allows the government to strip refugees of their asylum status if they engage in any political activity relating to their home countries.

JP Balous, a leader of one of the two factions representing foreign nationals who have taken refuge in Cape Town’s Central Methodist Church, condemned the new laws at a press conference in the church earlier today (January 14).

Balous was granted bail by the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court last week after being taken into custody on assault and other charges.

A new in South Africa, which came into effect on 1 January, strips asylum seekers of the right to participate in political activities in South Africa. Contravention of the new law could result in foreign nationals being stripped of asylum status and being deported from the country.

JP Balous, a leader of one of the two factions representing foreign nationals who have taken refuge in Cape Town’s Central Methodist Church, condemned the new laws at a press conference in the church earlier today.

Balous was granted bail by the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court last week after being taken into custody on assault and other charges. One of the conditions of his bail was that he has to be granted permission by the investigating officer in his case before he can enter the CBD.