A South African couple living in Western Sydney say they are terrified that being forced to return to their home country would amount to a “death sentence,” as they await a decision on their Australian protection visa applications.
Charné-Lee Gunning and Ivan Strauss, who arrived in Australia in 2018 as visitors before applying for protection, have spent the past six years fighting to remain in the country they now call home. Their initial visa request was denied, but they have appealed the decision and now live in limbo, fearing deportation if their application is rejected again.
“We Feel Safe Here”
Speaking to reporters, Charné expressed deep gratitude for the safety Australia has provided. “We feel home here. We feel safe,” she said. “I can’t begin to explain how grateful we are just for the few years we’ve had.”
However, the couple fears that returning to South Africa—where they say they faced extreme violence—would put their lives at risk. “I feel like that would be our death sentence, especially with what’s going on in South Africa at the moment,” Charné said.
A History of Trauma
The couple recounted harrowing experiences from their past. Charné’s father was shot in the head when she was just three years old, and she still possesses the bloodstained blanket used to cover his body. She also recalled a group of men attempting to break into the granny flat she shared with her mother.
Ivan, too, has faced life-threatening violence. He and his father were once held at gunpoint by armed men. “I was lying on the floor facing towards my dad, seeing my dad on the other side, also with a weapon to his head,” he said. “All I could think is, this is the moment. We’re not going to make it.”
Political Context and Visa Uncertainty
The case comes amid ongoing international debates about violence in South Africa, particularly against white farmers. Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously expedited visas for some white South African farmers, citing persecution—a claim denied by South Africa’s government.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on the couple’s case due to privacy laws. However, immigration law experts suggest alternative pathways, such as a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS 482) visa or ministerial intervention, could be possible if their protection claim fails.
Willing to Go Anywhere
Charné, an estimating manager, and Ivan, an air conditioning technician, say they are willing to relocate anywhere in Australia if it means securing their future. “We’ll even move anywhere in Australia—the most remote area,” Ivan said. “Wherever our skills are needed, we’ll go there.”
For now, the couple faces an agonizing wait, hoping for a decision that will allow them to stay in the country they now consider home.