Upon hearing about Naledi’s situation, a local NGO donated some food to the family. Unfortunately, the NGO’s resources are limited and the organization cannot sustain this effort. As a result of this situation, Naledi’s children are no longer going to school because they are unable to pay their school fees and will soon be without a home. “The papers are too expensive and too hard to get. The process takes too long and the people are slow and rude.” Photo 2: Section 23 Asylum Seeker Permit Problems with access when seeking to renew one’s document are just as difficult as when first applying, which makes holding a steady job nearly impossible. Most asylum seekers do not have proof of formal qualifications, rendering them forced to work in the informal sector with no sick leave or time off. Renewing documents means having to spend several days in queues to acquire them, resulting in an absence of earnings or even loss of a job; maintaining valid documentation in these conditions is clearly a very difficult task. The negligent system further punishes individuals whose permits have expired by subjecting them to a R2500 fee. This sum is enough to scare most asylum seekers away from the RROs permanently. When paralegals come across people in this situation, they are advised to report immediately to the nearest RRO and attempt to renew their documents. If procedure is followed, they are brought before a judge where they are able to plea for a lower fine. This reduction is often granted as most judges understand how unrealistic it is expect the average refugee living in South Africa to afford to pay such an exorbitant fee. However, if the asylum seeker is not aware of this process, he or she will most likely not return and will remain undocumented. Overcrowding and limited capacity also creates situations for violence and ill-treatment of asylum seekers. Many officials and security guards also treat asylum-seekers with indifference or contempt. Among various forms of abuse, security officials –effectively crowd controllers-- use whips (sjamboks) to beat and subdue asylum seekers. At the Pretoria Showgrounds office in April 2012, complaints were lodged when an official brutally beat a foreign national.31 At the Maitland centre in January, one man waiting for 31 News24. “Official suspended for beating foreigner.” 11 April 2012. <http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Official-suspended-for-beating-foreigner-20120410> 15