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25 July 2008

The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is confident that favourable conditions now exist for the reintegration of displaced foreign nationals currently accommodated at various temporary shelters across the province.

"Reintegration has already happened in a number of areas including Diepsloot, Tembisa, Thokoza, Alexandra, Mohlakeng, and the Gugulethu informal settlement," he said.

Spokesperson for the GPG, Thabo Masebe, told Gauteng News the government was working with all the affected communities to create conducive conditions for displaced foreign nationals to safely return to their homes in their respective communities.

He noted that communities where reintegration had already taken place were displaying warmth and neighbourliness to the foreign nationals.

"These communities have accepted that foreign nationals are part of their own. Foreign nationals have lived for many years with South Africans in their communities," Masebe said.

He pointed out that many of the foreign nationals have families and friends and that their children grew up among children of the South Africans.

"Many of them are married to South Africans and therefore should continue to live in their respective communities," Masebe said.

At the beginning of June, the government established temporary shelters to provide humanitarian relief to the foreign nationals who were displaced following xenophobic attacks that occurred in May at various parts of the province.

He further explained that the temporary shelters were meant to last for two months while the government was creating suitable conditions for integration.

As the two months deadline is drawing to a close next week, Masebe said the government would continue to assist the remaining displaced foreign nationals who were still in various temporary shelters so that they can also return to their homes in their communities.

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
25 July 2008
Source: SAPA