Specialist units tackle violence
Bathandwa Mbola
21 May 2008
The government is to deploy specialised units to areas in Johannesburg where attacks on foreign nationals have erupted, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said on Tuesday.
The minister was visiting the Primrose police station on the East Rand with a high-level delegation that included Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour, Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Acting Police Commissioner Tim Williams, Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils and Deputy Safety and Security Minister Susan Shabangu.
Addressing a 3 000-strong crowd of displaced immigrants, Nqakula said the police would deal with xenophobia-related attacks in a tough and precise manner. He said the number of police would be increased and there would be visible police patrols in areas hit by attacks.
"We are going hard on the situation," Nqakula said. "We will put every measure in place to protect you. Our law enforcement agencies are in place. We will make sure that the violence does not spread to other areas."
Thousands of foreigners and some South Africans were evicted from their shacks and houses by angry mobs after violence broke out in Alexandra township more than a week ago. They have since been camping outside police stations, community halls and shelters.
The violence has left 23 dead, hundreds injured and about 10 000 displaced. Local residents are blaming foreigners for "stealing" jobs and houses and perpetrating crime.
Michael Atombo from Zimbabwe, who has been in South Africa for two years, told BuaNews that since the attacks started he has been without shelter. "I came to South Africa to make an honest living, but all that I have worked for over the years has now been destroyed."
He said he was dependant on neighbours and churches in the area for food, but that it was not enough. Atombo added that he was too scared to walk too far from the police station because of the dangerous situation in the area.
Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the attacks had "damaged South Africa's image and reputation, taking into account what we have achieved since 1994."
Mapisa-Nqakula said South Africans had forgotten that "we were immigrants in their countries during the apartheid times."
The minister added that an urgent meeting with representatives from foreign countries, government officials and the Department of Foreign Affairs was scheduled for Wednesday to discuss how best to accommodate the displaced foreign nationals.
Source: BuaNews
