4 June 2009
The situation and treatment of xenophobia victims at the Central Methodist Church in the Johannesburg CBD is still dire.
This is according to Methodist Bishop Paul Verryn.
“Xenophobia is still a very real issue here in South Africa,” he says. “We are all at risk. We are not through the dangers of xenophobia.”
He said: “Sometimes when we speak to South Africans, one senses that there is a rage, never mind an anger – there is a rage against people of other nationalities and this anger seems to be unabated.
“My appeal is that we need to recognise our common humanity, our common value, particularly if we are religious – there is absolutely no room for violence, threats and hatred especially if we associate ourselves with some God or another.”
Verryn feels that there has been a thunderous silence from the government on the xenophobia issue right to the top.
“We need the President to state very clearly that this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and that he will see to it that the full weight of the law is pulled down on people who commit these acts,” the bishop stated.
Verryn explained that they have people coming to the Central Methodist Church on a daily basis seeking refuge.
“Many people come to the church because they sense that it is a place of safety.
“It has become their home where they have made consistent friends.”
Verryn is currently working in conjunction with the Department of Social Development, National Association for Child Care Workers and the United Nations Children’s Fund to train child and youth careworkers. They will work closely with the unaccompanied minors who live at the church.
“These individuals will help to provide a family safety net once they have successfully qualified. They will be also be in a position to take on vacancies in this sector should a job arise.”
Medicines Sans Frontier (MSF) currently provides healthcare, mentors and councillors for emotional or social needs of the unaccompanied minors that range in age from 7-20.
Increase in Zimbabwe illegals entering South Africa
Along with Bishop Verryn, officials from the medical aid group is also concerned about the increased number of Zimbabweans entering SA illegally.
“We do an average of 2,000 consultations per month. It’s not getting any better, it’s been like this for quite some time. I would say it’s actually increasing… Zimbabweans are still coming,” MSF Musina official Tonderai Mazanihi said at the release of a report on Zimbabweans seeking refuge in South Africa.
“People are coming legally, but there hasn’t been a decrease in the number of illegals,” said Dr Eric Goemaere, MSF medical co-ordinator for South Africa
In April, the Department of Home Affairs announced that Zimbabweans with government-issued identification could apply for special permits.
“The permit confers on them the right to stay in South Africa for a period of six months, it confers on them the right to schooling or education, it confers on them the right to work and access to basic healthcare,” said home affairs director general of immigration services Jackie MacKay.
MacKay also said that if Zimbabwean applicants did not have identification they would be given a test by the UN High Commissioner on Refugees to determine their country of origin.
Medicines Sans Frontier’s Goemaere said many Zimbabweans were not taking up the offer because they did not have proper government identification or because offices issuing the permits were inconveniently located.
“Despite the fact that this was announced months ago we are still waiting for an enactment of the policy,” said Goemaere.
“Our clients have not indicated any change.”
Medicines Sans Frontier told reporters that the healthcare needs of Zimbabweans are enormous.
The organisation operates a free clinic in the Central Methodist Church in central Johannesburg where the Zimbabweans have sought shelter.
Goemaere said some of the Zimbabwean refugees tested positive for tuberculosis, others had been physically and psychologically traumatised by rape, while between 30 to 40 percent of those tested were HIV positive.
Zimbabweans, like all South Africans, are entitled to basic healthcare.However, Goemaere said many of them were being turned away by staff at public hospitals and clinics.”Instead of having access to healthcare, we often see they are turned down – or asked for astronomical sums.”
Medicines Sans Frontier nurse Bianca Tolboom said this was due to xenophobia, a lack of understanding of health policy or even a shortage of available healthcare.
“The South African health system is very overburdened,” said Tolboom.Goemaere said Medicines Sans Frontier was releasing its report in an appeal for international aid in treating the health of Zimbabweans.”This should be paid for by the international community. Why not?” he asked.Goemaere acknowledged, however, that any appeal would have to be made officially by the South African government.This plea for aid for Zimbabweans in South Africa comes amidst a plea by the United Nations for US$700 million for the reconstruction of Zimbabwe. The response from international donors has so far been tepid.
One recent bright spot has been the European Commission, which on Tuesday announced it had earmarked Euro 8-million for Zimbabwe’s health and water infrastructure.”We have had this poor response because the view is that the (political) problem has been solved,” said Goemaere, who added: “It has not been solved”.
Sowetan Online and Sapa
