More than 1,000 Malawians, who fled their homes in Burnwood informal settlement, Durban, are camped out in an open field in nearby Sherwood. (Photo: Tsoanelo Sefoloko)
eThekwini region is in the grips of uncertainty, an uncertainty sweeping South Africa. In Durban Metro alone more than 1,000 immigrants, mostly from Malawi, have fled their homes in Burnwood informal settlement, Durban, after South Africa residents told them to leave on Sunday. Immigrants GroundUp spoke to said people had been interrogated about their nationality and some had even faced assault. Many fled without their belongings.
Sydenham SAPS spokesperson Simo Joli said that on Sunday at about 8pm, about 10 intoxicated local men went to shacks in Burnwood settlement demanding that immigrants leave. “Approximately 75 Malawian nationals initially sought refuge at the Sherwood grounds next to Sherwood Hall. Members of the local Muslim community provided meals and blankets. By Tuesday, 9 June, the number had increased to more than 1,000,” said Joli. He said arrangements were being made with the immigration authorities and the Malawian embassy for repatriation. eThekwini Metro Police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said: “It is going to be against the law to integrate those immigrants who don’t have proper documents into the community. Our Metro Police will patrol the area to keep them safe until they get repatriated back to their countries.”
The actions of xenophobic assailants are not acceptable. The blame on undocumented migrants may be grossly exaggerated. These expatriates came to South Africa looking for a better alternative to support their families. The attacks will not achieve anything but cast a bad light on eThekwini Metro and municipality in the eyes of not only the African continent but also the world. Charitable efforts are widely welcomed. However, given the current crisis, the attacks and riots do not help South Africa’s international image or economic disparity. The government at all levels from Pretoria, to KwaZulu-Natal to the local levels have to intervene. The repercussions will reverberate across borders. Right now, the police – if they can – have to maintain law and order and attempt to keep vigilante gangs in check. Violence will not be looked on favourably.
Yes, migrants with out legal documentation have to be deported, but this task lies with the SAPS and the Home Affairs Department.
Adam Ali, from the Malawian embassy’s disaster response team, said: “Most people told us they are ready to be repatriated because they no longer feel safe in SA. We are grateful for the humanitarian assistance, especially as many women are heavily pregnant. Security has also improved with the presence of police and private security. We expect the first group to be repatriated early next week.”
The attacks by xenophobic rioters cannot be allowed to continue. This will undermine South Africa’s position as an industrial centre in Africa. South Africa may lose the trade partners it seeks among its neighbours if these attacks continue. Malawi is not going to take the treatment of its expatriates lightly. Neither has Ghana where the government refused to renew a mining contract for a South African company.
A woman also living on Che Guevara Road told of her anguish. “I’ve been living in South Africa for over 20 years,” she said. “This is the only home that my kids know and now I am being forced to take them out of school and take them away from the only life that they know. What we done wrong?” she tearfully asked.
Not all foreigners it must be noted are involved in crime. The attacks by vigilantes borders on harsh discrimination. Pretoria and President Cyril Ramaphosa will at some point have to answer for their negligence of this situation. The pre-1994 Apartheid regime was ousted from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) precursor of the African Union (AU); what message will be sent if African member states did the same to the democratic South Africa in the present? The Xenophobic attacks will lead to deep repercussions in the future.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
