HERMANUS – Documentation and verification of foreign nationals is currently underway in the Overstrand after they were forced to leave their homes on Sunday 31 May and Monday 1 June.
This follows various efforts by the Overstrand Municipality to assist fearful foreign nationals who left their homes following countrywide incidents of threats and intimidation. In the Overstrand region, the anti-immigrants march began in Kleinmond on Sunday.
Officials from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) began the verification and documentation process of foreign nationals who are currently temporarily housed at various local facilities. The process began on Tuesday 2 June, where respresentatives from the Malawian Embassy were present in hopes to offer their citizens some assistance.
The documentation process began at the Gansbaai Mosque and completed the registration of approximately 50 people who found shelter at the Gansbaai Tourism Hall.
“[The imigration teams] will thereafter proceed to the Stanford Community Hall, where approximately 110 people are being accommodated, before continuing to the Kleinmond Town Hall, where approximately 60 people are receiving support,” said Dr Dean O’Neill, the Overstrand Municipal manager.
O’Neill noted, however, that this process will probably take some time. The process includes the collection of personal information of the foreign nationals across the facilities before the data is captured at the Home Affairs office in Caledon, he said.
“Once completed, the formal verification process will commence, including the compilation of reports [and] liaison with relevant foreign embassies,” he said.
During a municipal briefing this morning, 3 June, O’Neill noted that while the civil unrests are not part of the main functions of local government, “the municipality still has a responsibility to assist in coordinating support and ensuring the safety and wellbeing” of those affected by the unrests.
Activation of the Incident Command Centre
Moreover, the municipality has activated an Incident Command Centre (ICC) at the Hermanus Fire Station. The centre “will serve as the central operational point for coordinating interdepartmental resources and engaging with government stakeholders and partner organisations”, according to O’Neill.
“The municipality has engaged top-level Immigration Department officials in Pretoria to determine the next steps in accordance with national immigration legislation and procedures of undocumented individuals,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police confirmed the arrest of one person in Stanford in connection with the public order-related incident.
The municipal manager also acknowledged the frustration of some of the residents with the decision to provide shelter for the foreign nationals; however, he stressed the municipal responsibility to ensure that those vulnerable are accommodated especially in the harsh weather conditions.
Engagements with Gift of the Givers will also take place in efforts to assist with organising transportation for the foreign nationals to Johannesburg where the nearest national holding facility is situated. There are currently 110 foreign nationals accommodated at Kleinmond Town Hall, 80 at Gansbaai Tourism Hall, 90 at Gansbaai Mosque and 140 at Stanford Community Hall.
The municipality is currently accepting donations for food, water and essential supplies which can be dropped off at the fire stations in Gansbaai, Hermanus and Kleinmond as well as at municipal offices.
