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IOM and Partners Plan Response to Potential Xenophobic Violence
“I cannot risk the life of my family while trying to watch the World Cup final”, said Ellias, a 26 old Zimbabwean from Gwanda, who is married with two children. He was passing through Musina on his way from Mamelodi Township near Pretoria.
Over the weekend, IOM conducted interviews with returning migrants on the Zimbabwean side of the border, with more than 90% of the 140 interviewed stating they had fled threats of violence and 10% stating that they had already suffered xenophobic violence prior to their departure.
On-going contingency plans carried out with partner agencies include the pre-positioning of food and hygiene packs as well as measures to allow prompt document processing in case of a large influx of returning Zimbabweans. In addition, provisions are being made to provide adequate transportation from the border to various locations in Zimbabwe should the need arise.
IOM is also working with its partners in the One Movement to prevent xenophobic attacks through targeted public information campaign to counter the negative rumours circulating. The campaign’s goals are to emphasise harmony and unity within the community via the local churches and mass media outlets such as the newspapers and radio stations, as well as a door to door campaign in conjunction with the SAPS (South African Police Service).
The One Movement campaign was launched in March 2009 under the patronage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and uses media, community conversations, youth mobilization, curriculum interventions and human rights training in partnership with a wide range of civil society partners to promote a culture of tolerance, human dignity and unity in diversity across southern Africa.
South African Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu announced yesterday that the army and police would immediately deploy in the Western Cape Province to protect the lives of immigrants from African countries. A number of foreign nationals have reportedly fled their homes in Nyanga, Philippi East and Khayelitsha districts to seek refuge at police stations due to fears of xenophobic attacks.
For more information, please contact Newton Muli at IOM Pretoria, Tel: +27 12 342 2789; E-mail: nmuli@iom.intThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it