Govt condemns violence as migrants await repatriation

The South African government is condemning the recent rise in attacks against immigrants and stepping up its efforts to fight such violence as many immigrants face an uncertain future.

Raphael Ayam, 34, arrived in South Africa in 2012 with the hope of working and taking care of his family back in Malawi. He was working as a shop attendant for a Somali shop in the Free State province. Ayam said anti-immigrant groups have been marching every week demanding that undocumented foreigners leave the country. They accuse foreigners of stealing jobs, opportunities and committing crimes.

Ayam was one of many sleeping in the open at the Malawian Consulate in Johannesburg waiting to be repatriated. Civil society groups have been distributing water and food outside the consulate where people have been waiting.

Tessa Dooms, from Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign, was seen distributing water, blankets, hot meals, diapers and medical assistance outside the Malawian Consulate in Johannesburg. She said some groups and individuals have been helping migrants, despite recent xenophobic attacks.

The South African government and the police have continued to condemn the intimidation of migrants. Mmamoloko Kubayi, chair of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, recently said that protesters have a right to march but must not trample on others' rights.

Kubayi, who is also the minister of justice and constitutional development, said in a recent media briefing that the government is strengthening legislation to address illegal migration. She said the government is also strengthening border security and will engage with African countries on migration issues.

"The IMC reiterates its unequivocal rejection of all forms of xenophobia, intimidation, vigilantism, violence and unlawful actions directed at foreign nationals, regardless of their immigration status. Government has consistently maintained that the management of immigration, deportation and repatriation falls within the exclusive responsibility of the state and not private individuals or community groups," the IMC on Migration said in a statement released on Friday last week.

Sonja Boshoff, chairwoman of South African Parliament's Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, condemned the burning of stores and looting. She said the Constitution allows anyone the right to protest but requires that it be conducted within the confines of the law, with no intimidation or trampling on the rights of others.

"We condemn the looting and burning of the shops by anyone; it's unacceptable, and this will hurt our economy. We condemn violence and intimidation by anyone," said Boshoff.

Khulekani Mathe, CEO of Business Unity South Africa, said that while the business community understands the challenges in the country, it does not support the violence and criminality. He said citizens cannot enforce immigration laws since they lack the knowledge to do so. Mathe said the looting and destruction of shops will affect the country's economy.

Marrieth Ndlela, from the South African Red Cross Society, is one of the volunteers helping Malawians outside the consulate in Johannesburg to charge their phones. The Malawians spent days outside the consulate, and their phones were off. Ndlela said they are providing free Wi-Fi to the migrants and free phones to connect with their loved ones. She said they have also been helping another group of foreigners in Durban with hot meals and some medical assistance.

The South African government and representatives of other African countries continue to process migrants who want to return to their countries.

Ndumiso Mlilo is a freelance journalist for China Daily.