Foreigners attacked in Drakenstein
2010-07-15
Lise Beyers
THE glory of the World Cup final was marred this weekend, when sporadic outbreaks of xenophobic attacks rocked the Drakenstein area. And these outbreaks have also tarnished the broad message which the first Soccer World Cup to be held on African soil portrayed - that of a unified continent. Looters and vandals went on the rampage in parts of Greenfields, Mbekweni, New Rest and Egoli near Wellington, venting their anger on foreign immigrants by shattering windows and tearing down informal houses, with at least one house being gutted by fire. In informal settlements in Franschhoek and Klapmuts immigrants also fled their homes in fear of their lives. Three Paarl East police officers were injured when stones rained on their patrol vehicle. In Greenfields the shop of a Somalian, Mohammed Ahmed, was raided and looted. “They first started pelting our windows with stones and then raided my shop, destroying produce as they went.” The police were quick to respond to the unrest and they secured the premises as Ahmed and his family packed up the entire content of the shop and took it to safety. On Sunday evening, droves of immigrants packed up all their worldly belongings and fled to nearby police stations for shelter. The help of social services as well as the municipality was called in and the refugees were given shelter at Antoniesvlei Resort in Bain’s Kloof. Currently almost 140 immigrants are being housed here. But the question has been asked by law-enforcers and community leaders whether these incidents are in fact acts of xenophobia. A church leader of Mbekweni, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the general feeling is that criminal elements from outside have infiltrated the area to create havoc. “In general we live in peace with our foreign neighbours, and they often deliver a valuable service to us by means of their shops. “I have received reports that young people from places like Khayelitsha, are responsible for these attacks.” Residents of Greenfields feel the same. One resident, Karien Philander, said that shops like Ahmed’s deliver produce at competitive prices to the community. “They have only been good to us - why do these attacks take place?” Emergency meetings have been taking place between all concerned parties to restore peace to the area, as well as to encourage the various communities to refrain from any violent actions. And tempers flaired during one of these meetings on Tuesday evening at the Colibri Hall near Wellington, when Mayor Charmaine Manuel was unable to deliver her reconciliatory speech, due to residents protests about the influx of immigrants into their neighbourhoods. But after a meeting between Mbekweni residents, the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) and municipal officials, spokesperson for Sanco, Teboho Majola, said that it was clear that Mbekweni residents were happy to reintigrate the ousted immigrants into their midst, and assist with the prevention of any further attacks. “Sanco also gives the immigrants their word that they will be there to protect them from any such acts of violence at all times.” Throughout the week police in all areas have been on high alert to stop any outbreaks of violence in its tracks. No arrests have yet been made.
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