South Africa: Violence against foreigners Situation Report No. 13

HIGHLIGHTS

- Information help desks are launched in all four remaining Centres of Safe Shelter (CoSS) in the Gauteng Province.

- The Constitutional Court has postponed its decision to close camps until 20 November 2008.

- The South African Police Services (SAPS) have responded quickly and strongly to written threats against Somali shopkeepers in Western Cape.

- As of 19 September 2008, the total number of displaced people in the Centres of Safe Shelter (CoSS) and other ad hoc sites in all provinces now stands at 5,790.

SITUATION - NATIONAL

Gauteng Province

3,465 displaced foreign nationals remain in 6 sites in Gauteng Province.

Acknowledging the fact that there is a court order stipulating that the sites are to be closed on a date to be determined and that the court order also directs all parties to engage meaningfully, the UN drafted a framework to secure a safe and humane closure of the sites. The framework was submitted to and approved by the Gauteng Provincial Government, NGOs, and civil society groups.

In a collective effort, Provincial Government, UN Agencies, NGOs, civil society and faith-based organizations have jointly agreed to support an information help desks in all sites to provide information concerning reintegration options and legal rights. The official launch of the help desk took place on 18 September 2008. The site managers explained the purpose of the help desk to the residents. In order to reach a maximum people, leaflets in different languages are made available at the help desk. The provision of information was well received by the beneficiaries.

The Constitutional court postponed the camp closure date to 20 November. The current deadline for camp closure on 30 September 2008 is now uncertain.