xenophobic attacks in late April, the government said
yesterday. A Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, who said
this in a statement, added that the foreigners chose to leave
South Africa voluntarily.
Malawians made up the bulk of the foreigners, numbering
3,506, followed by Zimbabweans (1,440) Mozambicans (682),
while Tanzanians had (17). Mr. Radebe said the repatriation
process started soon after the latest spate of xenophobic
violence ended in April.
"The Department of Social Development continues to work
closely with other relevant departments, as well as civil society
organisations to provide support to displaced foreign
nationals,” Mr. Radebe said. The official also said over 1,000
foreigners received trauma counseling.
According to the statement, 10 women with children under 12
months of which three had just given birth were flown to their
respective countries on their insistence. Mr. Radebe further
said the department would continue to do its work to ensure
that the underlying socio-economic issues that gave rise to
tensions between South Africans and foreign nationals were
dealt with.
He also defended the current Operation Fiela (meaning
“sweep’’ in Sesotho language) launched after the end of the
xenophobia attacks. He said the operation was meant to
address the security challenges in a structured and
coordinated manner.
(NAN)
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