More than 100 Zimbabwean nationals who sought refuge following xenophobic violence in Addo, South Africa, were arrested on Sunday for immigration violations.
The arrests came after deadly attacks last weekend in Addo, which left at least four people dead and over ten injured.
Hundreds of families were forced to flee their homes. Some victims were moved to a safe location in Gqeberha, while others took shelter at the Addo police station.
Home Affairs officials detained the displaced people for allegedly breaching immigration laws.
According to Chris Mapingure, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network (ZiMSN), 127 of the affected Zimbabweans have now opted for voluntary repatriation after appearing in the Kirkwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The Zimbabwean consulate is arranging transport for their return.
Mapingure described the arrests as disheartening, especially in the wake of such traumatic violence. He said:
People had lost loved ones and some lost their property. Most lost their travel documents and will need time and money to replace the documents.
This is unfair and unfortunate. People were supposed to be given an opportunity to collect their belongings and time to mourn and bury the dead.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge told GroundUp that the arrests were carried out by immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs, while the South African Police Service (SAPS) only provided holding cells.
Despite the recent deadly xenophobic attacks, no suspects have been arrested so far.
Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed that charges of intimidation and conspiracy to commit a crime have now been added to the investigation docket. Said Nkohli:
There is information coming out, some in the form of voice notes, which have been elements of intimidation and conspiracy to commit crime during the unrest.
Patrick Bayeni, the leader of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in Sundays River Valley, says the situation in Addo has stabilised and it is now safe for the remaining Zimbabwean families to return.
He also said the father of the South African man whose murder sparked the violent “revenge” attacks has publicly called on the community to refrain from harming members of the immigrant community.
More: GroundUp
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