September 01, 2006 Edition 2
BABALO NDENZE and HANNAH ROBERTS
Somali shopkeepers who have fled the Masiphumelele informal settlement near Kommetjie following the trashing of 27 of their shops in the latest of a string of xenophobic attacks refuse to return, despite assurances from the government.
Even as the provincial government sets up inter-community conflict resolution committees and an investigation into the wave of attacks in the province, the Somalis say they are too frightened to return to Masiphumelele.
Representatives of the group of 80 Somalis, who include the shopkeepers and their families, said this last night when they spoke to representatives of the government and NGOs at a conflict resolution meeting in Fish Hoek.
Following the recent spate of attacks on and murders of Somali refugees in the Western Cape, the department of community safety has announced that it is to set up joint community committees of residents and Somali business owners.
This step follows Community Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane’s imbizo with the community, held on Wednesday in the wake of the attacks on Somali-owned businesses in Masiphumelele on Monday night.
Somalis have also been murdered in Khayelitsha, Delft, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and Port Elizabeth.
“The entire community of Masiphumelele has resolved to eradicate as well as to eliminate all forms of attacks against Somali-owned businesses in the area,” said Ramatlakane.
“Our meeting with residents of Masiphumelele, including Somali business owners, has borne some fruit.”
Ramatlakane said the meeting with a body representing Somalis as well as with Masiphumelele residents had concluded that a joint community structure, made up of the Masiphumelele residents, Somalis and the police, be established immediately.
The committee is to monitor progress and regularly meet members of the community of Masiphumelele.
But Mohamed Aden, spokesman for the Masiphumelele Somalis, said his compatriots’ safety would not be guaranteed.
“No one is willing to go back. We went back to get our things.
“But our shops have been destroyed. Some of us managed to save some stock.
“But other people found nothing left.”
Aden said that the Somalis and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to be sent to another country. Some had lost documents proving their refugee status during the carnage on Monday, he said.
“We don’t want to stay here in South Africa. Anywhere would be better.”
Meanwhile the group have been given temporary accommodation at a campsite, organised for them by Fish Hoek Baptist Church. Their food is provided by a local mosque.
“This is better than Masiphumelele. At least it is safe here,” said Somali shopkeeper Mohamed Shik.
Ramatlakane said that the police would continue to offer protection to all residents in the community.
