ETHEKWINI NEWS FLASH
 
MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
29 March 2019
 
Displaced Foreign Nationals to Be Integrated Back To Communities

EThekwini Municipality and the Malawi High Commission are working tirelessly to integrate Malawian nationals back to the community of Burnwood Informal Settlement where they were forcefully displaced by a mob on Tuesday morning.

This morning, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Zandile Gumede and the Acting High Commissioner to Malawi Gloria Bamusi briefed the media on joint efforts of integrating the displaced Malawians back to communities.

Both the Municipality and the Malawian High Commission are in agreement that the incidents that led to Malawians nationals being chased out of their homes are not xenophobia but were criminally motivated as their belonging were stolen by the angry mob.

Mayor Gumede issued a stern warning to leaders of all political parties to desist from making populist statements that inflame xenophobia or any other form of discrimination.

“No African is foreigner in Africa and as the Municipality we are committed to work together with organisations representing immigrants and civil society formations to deal with issues that cause tension between and among our people. During profiling, we discovered that most African immigrants are highly skilled artisans and we are looking at partnering with them in creating skills transfer and mentorship programmes that will target the youth,” she said.

Mayor Gumede added that it emerged during two meetings held with residents of Burnwood Informal Settlements that the majority of them are ready to welcome back the Malawian nationals.

“It was also agreed during these meetings that leaders of foreign nationals should form part of community development forums in the area and the displaced foreign nationals should go back to their homes within the next 48 hours. However, a follow up meeting will be held soon between the Municipality, the Malawian High Commission and community of Burnwood Informal Settlement to welcome back the Malawian nationals,” said Mayor Gumede.

Bamusi praised the Municipality for ensuring the safety of Malawian nationals and for providing them with temporary shelter.

“The situation has been modesty handled by the Municipality. We appeal to law enforcement agencies to respond rapidly whenever such instances occur. We also call for the perpetrators to be brought to book. We will work with the Municipality to integrate our people back to the communities and make necessary arrangements for those who want to go back home to Malawi,” said Bamusi.

ENDS

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Acting Head of Communication Mandla Nsele.

For more information contact Municipal Spokesman Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220 or msawakhe.mayisela@durban.gov.za


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