In a move that has shocked civil society groups, the Department of Home Affairs marked yesterday's World Refugee Day by closing a much-needed refugee reception office. The closure of the Tshwane Interim Refugee Reception Office coincided with the holding of hundreds of events worldwide drawing attention to the plight of refugees and asylum-seekersLocal asylum-seekers, some of whom are battling to have their refugee application processed, also held a march to parliament in Cape Town in yesterday's icy weather.Ironically, the march was organised to commend the government for its largely progressive refugee policy.But there are fears that attitudes are changing and proposed new legislation has been labelled "refugee unfriendly" .The department has recently begun reducing the number of "refugee reception centres" in cities in preparation for processing refugee applications at the border - in line with the proposed new policy. The intention is to cut down on the number of economic migrants, whom the department claims are exploiting refugee status.David Cote, head of the strategic litigation unit for Lawyers for Human Rights, told The Times: "We were disappointed that we were effectively given only one day's notice of the closure [of the Pretoria office], particularly as it occurred on World Refugee Day."This day is intended to highlight the importance that asylum seekers and refugees can have in our society."He said his organisation had been invited to meet representatives of the department on Friday to discuss the closure of the Pretoria office.The department said the Tshwane office would be merged with the one in Marabastad, where several key refugee services were currently suspended.Speaking at yesterday's march, several refugees expressed their frustration with South Africa's new policy direction.Mike Alomba, a spokesman for Congolese refugees and asylum-seekers in South Africa, urged the government to remember that neighbouring countries had offered sanctuary to political exiles during the apartheid era."African people gave them a roof. Africa needs to be reunited. South Africa must remember its past - Africa is home to all Africans," Alomba said.The UN has said that the number of refugees worldwide hit a record 65.3million at the end of last year...