On the eve of their planned move to a venue in Joza, residents displaced by looting and intimidation in Grahamstown last month are confused about where they’re going and when.
On the eve of their planned move to a venue in Joza, residents displaced by looting and intimidation in Grahamstown last month are confused about where they’re going and when.
On 21 and 22 October, immigrant shopkeepers and their families fled their township spaza shops and homes, as mobs looted 300 businesses.
Many left town to stay with friends and family; between 200 and 500 a night have since then being staying in a safe zone in the area.
In a special Council meeting on Friday 6 November, it was announced that those being housed in private premises a short distance outside Grahamstown would on Tuesday 10 November be moved to the Indoor Sport Centre in Joza.
However, leader of the group co-ordinating the displaced residents’ needs, Dr Naveed Anjum, says most of them are uncomfortable about the proposed move.
Anjum, chair of Grahamstown Anti-Xenophobia Committee, said today, “When I spoke to them last night, people were not comfortable to go that side. The environment is not comfortable.
“There are huge windows, and privacy and security are a concern.
“And then, even if the NGOs bring food in, people from surrounding areas will certainly resent that, thus leading to more tensions.
“Most of the displaced people have said they would rather stay with friends and families than there.”
Anjum feels community leaders and councillors need to do more before they can be comfortable returning to their communities.
“Community leaders, councillors need to show unity, without even thinking about their political differences.”
“What are we really doing to minimise our differences as leadership? Council are playing their leadership role – but they really have to make sure things are going to work before people feel comfortable coming back.”
One of the displaced shopkeepers, who asked not to be named, spoke of lack of communication about the timetable for moving.
“We were thinking maybe on Friday afternoon we would be taken to the Sport Centre. Then on Saturday, people were thinking, ‘Okay maybe it’s today’,” he said.
“But also, if you ask many of them, they will tell you they thought they would be staying where the screening was happening.”
On Thursday, all the displaced residents needing assistance were asked to go to Fiddlers Green, where their details were recorded. Fiddlers Green was the site initially identified as a transit camp.
“They have reservations about the Sport Centre. They say the place is hard to reach – we prefer being here [at the safe zone].”
“But actually we will see when the municipality tells them what’s happening, we will see their reaction.”
He said they were expecting Council representatives to come and address them tonight.
Manager of Makana Municipality’s disaster unit Khuselo Qupe said he would only be able to comment on details of the move on Tuesday 10 November.
