In all, 395 foreign nationals, including 92 children, were left displaced following incidents of intimidation in Bredasdorp. This according to Wessel Rabberts, Cape Agulhas Municipal Manager.
The incidents of intimidation against foreign nationals began on 8 June in Bredasdorp, forcing people to flee their homes in fear. They were being accommodated at the Bredasdorp Community Hall.
Rabberts said the South African Police Service, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and relevant foreign consulates had begun verification and repatriation processes. “While immigration matters and repatriation fall within the mandate of national government and foreign consulates Cape Agulhas Municipality is providing temporary shelter and faciliting the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the unrest.”
The 395, aside from the 92 children, include 252 Zimbabwean, 117 Malawian, 25 Mozambican nationals and 1 Namibian national.
Zimbabwean and Mozambican Consulates have also begun verfication processes, where subsequent appropriate arrangements will be made in consultation with affected persons and relevant authorities, according to Rabberts.
“The municipality is in contact with the Malawian Consulate and is awaiting confirmation of when its verfication process will commence,” he said.
The Cape Agulhas Municipality, DHA, various stakeholders and humanitarian organisations will work together to ensure and maintain public safety while restoring stability within the community.
Mixed response to anti-immigration
Meanwhile, residents took to social media to share their opinions in response to the news.
Responding to Rabberts’ statement, one resident commented: “The foreigners are hard workers [who] don’t throw trade unions in front of your head all the time. Their English is miles better than our own workers’ and one can communicate nicely with them and they are learned and eager to learn, which makes things easy.”
A foreign national commented: “As a Zimbabwean preparing to go home now I kindly thank you for having a caring heart… having us. May the Lord almighty God bless you.”
Another user commented: “The case has many sides but the crook of it is: the people should never have been here… period. No-one can just go and live in another country indefinitely without necessary legal documents, nowhere. Forget about all the reasons why they might work as a veteran, more honourable or whatever it may be; if you came in illegally you must leave because it gives distorted population statistics that impact unemployment figures and so on.”
