The Civic Engagement Forum of Zimbabwe has urged the government to help repatriate Zimbabwean citizens amid what it describes as a growing humanitarian crisis in South Africa.
The group estimates that 146 Zimbabwean nationals have been displaced in Daggafontein, Springs, on the East Rand, following recent attacks.
It further alleges that community members who are harassing them to leave the area have given many of them a deadline of 15 June.
Speaking on SAFM’s First Take programme, the organisation’s leader, “Ambassador” General Sithole, warned of further displacement and threats to life.
“These people were evicted, some of them by the landlord, this happened after the raid, which was done by the officials to combat the issues of illegal mining and everything, but after that, people started to take the advantage, knocking on the doors of the foreigners and kicking them out and all those sort of stuff, to the fact that some are now staying in the bushes,” Sithole said.
“We are trying to engage and coerce the government of Zimbabwe to actually help with the self-repatriation of the voluntary in that area and most of the affected people.”
This comes as rural communities in the Eastern Cape have joined growing calls for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country. They claim many foreign nationals are now moving into rural towns and villages.
The communities also accuse foreign nationals of taking jobs that should go to local youth, who face high unemployment.
Businesses say the government must enforce its policies on foreign nationals trading in the country.
Pumelele Madikiza, chairperson of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce in the OR Tambo region, said the government must ensure that every foreigner in rural areas is documented.
“If there was an act, I’m of the view that there is an Act of 2002, which stipulates how foreigners should be trading. It says a foreigner should come with a minimum investment of R 5 million,” said Madikiza.
“It says that foreigners should not participate in the salon, spaza shops and retail because that is meant for locals, that’s what the act says.
“If there’s adherence to that act, then you’ll have all the local municipalities and metros formulating bylaws that talk to that national Act.”
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