CAPE TOWN - South African Human Rights Commissioner Chris Nissen has expressed concern that if friction over jobs is not urgently addressed, it could soon spread to more communities and turn into xenophobic attacks.
Nissen has been in Zwelitsha, Bredasdorp, since Saturday to meditate and probe violence suspected to be emanating from clashes between Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals in Nqubela in Robertson.
One person has been hospitalised, and 17 people, including two children, have reported minor injuries during the violence.
Locals and Lesotho nationals have allegedly destroyed the homes of hundreds of Zimbabweans and Malawians, who have taken refuge in a Zwelitsha community hall.
Two male foreign nationals, aged 23 and 42, were injured and transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk has said Saps members were monitoring the situation which was “under control”.
Bredasdorp police have opened a case of public violence for further investigation but no arrests have yet been made.
“A group of (about) 300 disgruntled community members took to the street in Bredasdorp on Thursday.
“The group marched from Zwelitsha to the local municipality to raise their concerns with the management, where they handed a memorandum to a representative of the municipality,” Van Wyk said.
“As the group returned to their homes, they created splinter groups and deviated from the approved route, causing some havoc. The police members used minimum force to restore order.”
He said their members and Law Enforcement agencies were also hard at work on Friday attempting to restore calm.
Cape Agulhas municipal manager, Eben Phillips, said a multi-government approach that included Nissen had been launched to find solutions, and a second meeting following one on Saturday was expected Monday evening.
According to Nissen, on Sunday they had approached residents requesting the safe return of foreign nationals back into communities but received mixed reactions which proved it was not safe for them to return yet.
“The Zimbabwean people are very traumatised and want safety if they do return in the community, which obviously at this time, as the facilitators, we cannot guarantee.
“The main problem is that there is competition for jobs.
“At the moment, in both of these attacks, we do not see xenophobia. “It's about the scarcity of jobs, the employment of one group compared to another.
“However the locals are also questioning how both groups are fighting for what should be their jobs.
“We are also working around the clock with the department of labour to probe this,” Nissen said.
Cape Times