Durban refugee camp to close month end

According to eThekwini’s head of communications, Tozi Mthetwa, the Chatsworth Interim Shelter will be closed from Tuesday, June 30, Rising Sun Chatsworth reported.

There were more than 5 000 people accommodated in the three temporary shelters. Of the three shelters set up, two have been closed due to the successful reintegration of affected emigre communities.

Mthethwa said the aim of the establishment of the shelter was to protect the displaced African immigrants from the then volatile situation they faced back in their communities.

But after assessing the conditions and conducting extensive community dialogues through the provincial department of community safety and liaison, the city is pleased that the situation has normalised, which means the shelter should therefore cease to operate.

Foreign nationals at the shelter have been offered an option of being reintegrated into the communities they once lived in, while others have requested to be repatriated to their countries of origin.

“There was an outpour of support from various stakeholders, including the non-government sector, who donated food, personal hygiene and baby supplies. All the non-profit organisations, who worked with the city at the shelter, did so on a voluntary basis and were in no way being paid by the city for their generous service,” said Mthetwa.

She added: “Owing to the fact that the situation in communities has stabilised, most of the donors have withdrawn their services, as they see that there is no longer any violence directed at the foreign nationals in communities. We would like to thank all those who worked with the government to create a truly united African continent and ensure that peace and harmony returns to the areas where there was violence against African immigrants.”

During President Jacob Zuma’s visit to the refugee camp in April, foreign nationals said they wanted to go home.

Zuma had been accompanied by State Security Minister David Mahlobo, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and several leaders from the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government.

Shortly before Zuma’s arrival at the camp, foreigners became agitated when KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo called for them to chant Zuma’s name.

Their response was a chorus of boos.

Read more: Zuma fails to calm foreigners during refugee camp visit

– Caxton News Service