Stranded foreign nationals may need new accommodation
ALTERNATIVE accommodation may urgently be required for hundreds of foreign nationals who sought refuge at a local mosque in Bredasdorp as the holy month of Ramadaan begins on Saturday.
Engagements between Zwelitsha residents, Cape Agulhas Municipality, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and other officials for the safe reintegration of non-nationals into the community have reached an impasse.
Locals and Lesotho nationals allegedly destroyed the homes of hundreds of Zimbabweans and Malawians last week over jobs.
The violence is suspected to stem from clashes between Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals in Nqubela, Robertson.
“During the community meeting I realised that we won't have a quick fix solution, and we cannot safely reintegrate the non-nationals back to Zwelitsha right now. The efforts that were made by all the stakeholders for engagements with the community have not shown success. However, it is a work in progress,” said mayor Paul Swart.
Municipal manager Eben Phillips said the situation in Zwelitsha was relatively calm, and that the high level of police visibility was helping to maintain law and order in the area.
“As a municipality we are faced with a humanitarian crisis unlike any we have faced before. Approximately 450 families, who amount to 1 100 displaced non-nationals. Between the Bredasdorp Mosque and the Cape Agulhas Municipality, we are faced with the responsibility of providing much-needed aid relief,” said Phillips.
Agri Western Cape chief executive Jannie Strydom said the scale of the problem was much greater than the employment of illegal workers, and started with people moving illegally through South Africa's borders.
“The appointment of illegal workers cannot be justified, but agriculture is not responsible for the policing of illegal workers. The draconian legislation implemented is not contributing to the solution.
“As an organisation, we ask for guidance regarding the verification of documentation, but that these solutions be practical in order for agriculture production to continue. The agricultural sector has been asking for guidance for the past two years, and there is still no workable solution,” said Strydom.
“According to legislation, all foreign employees must have the necessary legal documentation, and Agri
Western Cape asks that all employers stay on the right side of the law.”
Meanwhile the Department of Employment and Labour's Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) in the province, working with the Department of Home Affairs and police will be conducting inspections next week, targeting farms located in the Langeberg Municipality.
Inspections will be in Ashton, Robertson, McGregor, and Montagu to assess compliance of a number of laws, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Following allegations about the employment of undocumented foreign nationals by labour brokers and farmers, Western Cape provincial chief inspector David Esau said the process would be collaborative, but added: “We will be very hard on employers who are deliberately operating outside the law.”