An asylum seeker has vowed to die on hunger strike rather than be deported back to his native South Africa. 

On Monday, six South Africans pitched up outside Leinster House and claim they began a hunger strike after their applications for asylum were rejected. 

Spokesperson Brian Mogotsi told Newstalk the Irish Government underestimates just how dangerous life in South Africa is for locals. 

“We’re on hunger strike because we’re trying to bring awareness to [the fact] that South Africa isn’t safe,” he said. 

“Aside from the Irish Government... Slovakia and Slovenia are the only two countries in the world that have deemed South Africa safe.” 

Brian Mogotsi oustide Leinster House.

Mr Mogotsi arrived in Ireland in December last year; his wife and children remain in South Africa but he hopes they will one day be able to join him. 

“I put in my application that I need a place where I can be safe,” he said. 

“South Africa is not safe; there’s a lot of crimes happening there, a lot of murders and home invasions. 

“People are being killed at home - life does not matter. 

“So, I came here looking for refuge.”

Originally from Johannesburg, Mr Mogotsi claimed he was a victim of crime “too many times”. 

“I can show you my injuries right now from when I was trying to evade hijackers,” he said. 

“I’ve been mugged and I’ve been attacked.” 

A 'safe' country?

The Department of Justice has designated South Africa a ‘safe country’ which means that while South Africans can still lodge applications for asylum, it means there is a higher chance they will be rejected and asked to leave. 

Every year, thousands of Irish people visit the country on holiday but the Department of Foreign Affairs warns there is a “very high level of crime” and urges them to exercise a “high degree of caution” while there. 

“We’ve been trying to engage with the Government for quite a while,” Mr Mogotsi said. 

“No one has really taken us seriously and we’ve been ignored from the get-go.” 

The protestors.

Mr Mogotsi said the group were unaware of the significant role hunger strikes have played in shaping Irish history when they arrived on Kildare Street. 

“Sitting out here, people have come up to us and let us know,” he said. 

The group hopes their protest will persuade the Government to stop deporting people to South Africa and are determined to remain in Ireland. 

“I’m willing to sit out here for as long as it takes,” Mr Mogotsi said. 

“If I need to die on the side of the road, [I will].” 

In a statement to Newstalk, the Department of Justice said it does not comment on individual cases but designates a country as safe if there is "generally and consistently no persecution". 

There must also be "no torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" and rights and freedoms set out in European and international conventions must be observed. 

Main image: Brian Mogotsi oustide Leinster House. Picture by: Newstalk