Key Issues - Attacks on foreign nationals

Temporary shelters are set up in Ekurhuleni

2 June 2008

Almost 2 000 displaced foreign nationals who were accommodated at the Primrose Police Station and the Germiston City Hall have now been moved by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to an alternative temporary shelter opposite the Rand Airport in Germiston. This follows the Gauteng Provincial Government’s declaration of Gauteng as a disaster area in terms of the Disaster Management Act – as a result of the xenophobic attacks outbreak in the province. Ekurhuleni was the most hit.

The first alternative temporary shelter to go up in Ekurhuleni was set up at the weekend and the first 800 people were relocated from the Primrose Police Station yesterday. The municipality, with the assistance of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and a private security company, is currently moving people from the Germiston City Hall. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has mobilised additional resources to assist victims in the region.

Thousands of people have been left homeless and accommodated at police stations and civic centres throughout Ekurhuleni since the xenophobic attacks spread here two weeks ago.

“Now that we have moved the Primrose and Germiston groups, we will be shifting our focus to the Vosloorus, Katlehong and Thokoza areas, where we will be establishing another temporary shelter,” explains metro spokesman Zweli Dlamini. “A site has already been identified for this purpose and we expect to resume the work tomorrow.” This site is at the corner of Heidelberg and Black Reef roads.

Apart from providing accommodation Ekurhuleni is providing 24 hours emergency health care, water, three meals a day, waste removal services and chemical toilets. The municipality has also placed a fire engine on site and erected high mast lights.

“The tents that have been erected here can take up to five people each and the beneficiaries have been allocated accommodation based on gender. However, if there is a married couple without children, the two get half the tent, but should they have a full family they get the whole tent to themselves,” explains Dlamini, adding that the metro police, South African Police Service (SAPS) and a private security company have been placed at the temporarily shelter to maintain peace and order.

The shelters are being set up as a temporary emergency intervention while authorities seek a lasting solution to the xenophobic attacks and try to work out ways to reintegrate the displaced people with their communities.

Enquiries: Zweli Dlamini
Tel: 011 820-4041
Cell: 082 573 6464
Fax: 011 820-4212

Issued by: THE EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
2 June 2008

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Last modified: 14 July 2008 14:25:31.