ZDN condemns xenophobic attacks against Zimbabweans in South Africa
Posted by ZDN on February 1, 2010
Zimbabwe Democracy Now condemns the xenophobic attitudes and attacks against Zimbabwean refugees, and implores the local government to take further constructive action in order to find solutions for the current problems.
We salute PASSOP and other organisations that are providing much needed assistance and support to the Zimbabweans in De Doorns.
We salute the national government’s efforts to engage with PASSOP and its efforts in dealing with the refugee crisis as a whole.
We believe it is essential that South Africans in the communities where the refugees are living are well briefed regarding the appalling brutality and deprivation Zimbabweans have suffered over the past decade under the Mugabe regime – and of the current situation.
While the communities may believe that Zimbabwe has finally returned to peace and democracy under the unity government, this is regrettably not the case. The violence and victimization continue, albeit at a reduced level – at this point. However, ongoing threats by Zanu-PF and the increased levels of militarisation and deployment of the youth militia indicate that the upscaling of violence is a dangerous reality.
Those who oppose Zanu-PF remain at risk, unemployment is still estimated at 90 percent and the outlook for the forthcoming cropping season is once again disastrous.
The United Nations’ Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNET) said in its latest report that close to 2.2 million Zimbabweans will be food insecure between January and March this year, which is up from last year’s estimates of 1.7 million people needing food aid. Independent population estimates are between 6 and 7 million people, down from 12.5 million in 2000.
FEWSNET said the UN World Food Programme (WFP) planns to increase its food assistance activities from January to cover the food insecure population. WFP has however warned of a major shortfall of cereals between December 2009 and March 2010, which will likely see less people receiving food than planned.
The only real solution is to bring peace and stability back to Zimbabwe. The South African government under President Zuma is making significant progress in this regard and we are extremely grateful to President Zuma for his principled stance and for the pressure he is applying on Zanu-PF and the unity government.
We urge the unity government to take cognizance of the difficulties faced by refugees in South Africa, the SADC region and internationally, to resolve all outstanding issues and to put its people first.
TIMELINE OF ZIMBABWEANS UNDER ATTACK
(Médecins Sans Frontières June 2009 report – click here to download a copy of the report – PDF – 4.5MB)
- January 2008: Police raid the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, detaining 350 people, before a court interdict secures their release. The presiding judge refers to the treatment of the detainees as being worse than during the days of apartheid.
- March 2008: Increase in political tension, violence, and intimidation in Zimbabwe on the eve of general elections.
- May 2008: Xenophobic attacks erupt in Alexandra township in Johannesburg, then spread throughout Gauteng and to Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, killing 62 people and displacing more than 100,000.
- June 2008: Continued increase in election-related violence in Zimbabwe prior to the run-off elections.
- July 2008: Department of Home Affairs opens Reception Office at Musina Showground. Thousands of Zimbabweans previously in hiding flock to seek asylum.
- November 2008: Department of Health declares a cholera outbreak primarily affecting Zimbabweans in Limpopo Province, and later Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and other provinces.
- February 2009: 100 police and ‘Red Ants’ attempt to raid people sleeping in front of the High Court next to the Central Methodist Church, harassing, intimidating, and arresting Zimbabweans sleeping on the street.
- March 2009: South Africa authorities forcibly expel thousands of Zimbabweans from Musina Showground.
Thousands of Zimbabweans flee from Musina to Johannesburg, the majority to the Central Methodist Church. More than 4,000 people seek refuge inside and around the Church at the height of the crisis.
Local businesses in Johannesburg’s Central Business District (CBD) sue the municipality, City of Johannesburg, and the Central Methodist Church, complaining that the thousands of Zimbabweans and the crowded and unhygienic environment around the Church are bad for business.
Local businesses erect large metal gate in front of the Church to prevent Zimbabweans from being able to sleep in the direct vicinity of the Church, effectively cutting people off from the Church and subjecting them to extreme vulnerability and potential violence and abuse.
- April 2009: Department of Home Affairs, under pressure from NGOs and human rights groups, announces special dispensation permit under the Immigration Act for those without legal documents and a moratorium on deportations. However, arrests and deportations continue, roll out of the special dispensation is slow, and confusion remains high, leading to continued chaos and uncertainty.
- May 2009: DHA announces a new 90-day ‘visa free’ entry permit, but it only applies to Zimbabweans who have travel documents.
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