‘I chose SA, I thought it was safe’

Durban15042015Methode from DRC to go with Zohre's story.Picture:Marilyn Bernard

Durban15042015Methode from DRC to go with Zohre's story.Picture:Marilyn Bernard

Published Apr 16, 2015

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Durban - A few weeks ago, uMhlanga car guard, Methode Kubwayo, was hailed a hero and given a reward of R1 000 after he returned a lost wallet to a resident. Today, he lives in fear as the wave of attacks on foreigners sweeps the province.

“Where are the elders? Where is the voice of leadership? We are not here to harm South Africa, why are they harming us?” he asked desperately.

On the wallet he returned he says: “It was not mine to take.”

His story went viral as details emerged of how he carefully noted all the wallet’s contents on a piece of paper - down to the number of coins, before handing it over at the security office of uMhlanga Crescent Shopping Centre where it had been forgotten in a shopping trolley.

But now he is terrified of becoming a victim to the senseless violence against foreigners in Durban’s city centre where he lives.

Kubwayo fled war-torn Burundi in 2012 - also ranked the hungriest country in the world.

“I was a nursing graduate in my country. But after my parents were killed in the war I had to leave because of my safety. I chose South Africa because I thought it was a safe country, and in 2014 I was granted refugee status.

“I taught myself English and started working as a car guard. I save my money so that I can pay my rent because we only get tips. I am not harming anybody and I cannot return to my country because of the war there, so I am very sad at what is happening to us here in South Africa. As refugees we expect to be protected not killed,” explained the soft spoken 34-year-old.

As his working day draws to a close, Kubwayo expresses fear at returning to the small room he shares with a friend, paying R750 each in rent.

“We ask the taxi to drop us off halfway and we walk the rest of the way through side streets which we think are safer but we are scared,” he said.

Responding to comments from some South Africans that foreigners are taking local jobs, Kubwayo adds: “That is not true. We are hard-working and have the necessary skills that are needed for the jobs we find. I work six days a week without a salary and survive only on the tips from the drivers so I am not taking anyone’s job. They can do the same as me, they don’t need to kill us.”

Daily News

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