DA urges Home Affairs Minister to acknowledge full extent of xenophobia-related violence; calls for the establishment of refugee camps in the worst affected areas
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned about the extent of the humanitarian crisis that is developing across Gauteng as a result of violent attacks on foreign nationals. A number of deplorable attacks over the weekend have reportedly led to the death of 12 people and the displacement of thousands more. We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected, displaced and traumatised by this tragedy.
In order to prevent this situation from deteriorating any further it is clear that the time has come to pursue a targeted intervention. Such an intervention should involve a two-pronged approach, with strategies both to contain the violence itself, and to relieve the suffering of those displaced by the attacks by setting up refugee camps in the affected areas.
The first step in this process is for the Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to pull her head out of the sand and acknowledge both the causes and the extent of the crisis. Government's attempts to formulate an adequate response and workable solutions to this stalemate hinge upon a full acknowledgement by the Minister that this is indeed an emergency, rather than the workings of a so-called "third force" or a rag-tag of unspecified "criminal elements".
The Home Affairs Minister has a long history of denial of the extent of the humanitarian crisis caused by unregulated and predominantly illegal migration into South Africa, the majority of which stems from Zimbabwe. By presiding over one of the largest human migrations of the last quarter century, without any comprehensive plans on how to cope with the influx of millions of people into South Africa, government is largely responsible for helping to create the necessary conditions for the development of the current crisis.
During the course of last year a DA investigation at the Beit Bridge border post found that thousands of people were crossing into South Africa daily, with little or no adequately-formulated state response to the influx. We warned that a humanitarian crisis was imminent unless a series of measures - such as the establishment of a refugee camp there - were considered by government; our calls were dismissed as exaggerated and unwarranted.
It was clear then, as it is today that we are in need of innovative solutions to address this situation. The current ad-hoc approach to dealing with displaced foreign nationals in Gauteng is clearly not working, hundreds of people are gathering at police stations or other public facilities that are simply not equipped to cope with even their most basic needs. What is therefore required is the establishment of refugee camps in the worst affected areas so that people can be given access to food, shelter and medical care where required.
The establishment of these camps would also allow government to access the expertise and resources of UN agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in attempting to address this escalating catastrophe, as well as enabling aid agencies to render assistance to migrants in a relatively safe and regulated environment. These agencies could also prove invaluable in helping us to cope with the strain placed on our already over-stretched resources.
The South African government owes it both to citizens and to foreign nationals alike to ensure that it now commits itself to dealing not only with the immediate symptoms, but also with the more complex causes of the current xenophobia crisis.
Statement issued by Ian Davidson MP, Democratic Alliance Chief Whip, May 19 2008
