Xenophobic tensions rise in Freedom Park, Johannesburg
‘Tensions have risen and possible xenophobic violence is imminent’ in Johannesburg’s Freedom Park, as foreign shop owners have decided to open their shops ‘after over a month of being forcibly closed’, writes Informed Community Member.
21 January 2011
Tensions have risen and possible xenophobic violence imminent at Freedom Park, as the foreign shop owners decided to open their shops in freedom park after over a month of being forcibly closed.
Local businesses in Freedom Park forced foreign businesses to close on 11th Dec 2010, and they have remained closed since then for fear of being attacked.
To date several interventions have been tried but local business has
refused to budge.
As their losses continue to rise from being closed they have decided to open today and local businesses and youth league members have been mobilizing the whole day to attack the foreign businesses. Tensions are extremely high.
The UNHCR and its monitoring partners Militia trust and DMPSP - Displaced and Mirgrant Persons Support Program have been busy in the area for over a month trying to mediate, but to no avail.
Local business people and ANCYL people have even threatened attacks on UN Monitors in the area.
Foreign business people sent a letter to Eldo's police station yesterday indicating their intention to open their shops at 07:00 today, according to their constitutional rights. Police was forewarned but have been slow and lethargic to respond.
UNHCR representative, foreign business people scheduled to hold meeting at Eldo police station by 14:00
ANC Youth League claim that the MEC Gauteng for Housing, as well as other ANC provincial structures have given tem instructions that the shops must remain closed. This has also made police indecisive on how to respond the shop openings.
The community in freedom park is supportive of the foreign shops being opened as they provide lower prices, but the whole issue is being stirred up by a few roleplayers such as Thabang and Wahsington, which together with others are wishing to get positions in local govt elections. Local Current Councillor Ntombi has no power and just does what these guys want her to do.
More info can be attained from the following people
Lt Col Rajberry - 0828507947 - Eldorado Police Station
Layla Khan - Local married to Bangladeshi Shop Owner - 0795871019
Absalam - Somali shop Owner - 0783765524
Councillor Ntombi Ntombeka - 0718554221
Thomas Thaga - SANCO - 0835332899
Thabang Makele - GOLCOM (Golden Highway community) Youth Leader 0745144106
John dlomo - Local CPF member siding with local business - 0721577873
Gladys Mofokeng - Local SANCO Leader - 0783644310
Washington Mluleni - ANCYL Leader in Freedom Park and one of main
activists - 0729913242
Fred - DMPSP german volunteer and Monitor on behalf of UNHCR - 0798696590
Walter Da Costa - CEO DMPSP and MILITIA - 0729070699