Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The issue surrounding foreign nationals in Kwanokuthula has started to boil over with a group of vigilantes reportedly threatening foreigners in the area.

Public Order Police (Pops) units were deployed in Kwanokuthula on Monday night, 12 September, and officers have been tasked with monitoring the situation. The Human Rights Commission is also set to step in.

Forced out of homes

On Monday evening, a group of families, including women and children, made their way to the local police station after the vigilante group allegedly went from door to door forcing foreigners to leave the area. 

Some foreigners reported that they had been assaulted, thrown out of their homes and forced to leave. It is believed that some of these residents have the necessary documentation and are in South Africa legally. 

A group was also seen marching through the streets, chanting for foreigners to leave.

This came after a march on 1 September by Kwanokuthula residents calling on foreigners to leave Kwanokuthula, accusing them of taking local jobs, contributing to a drug scourge in the area and trading illegally.

Bitou Municipality and other role players met with the complainants several times to find a solution. Southern Cape police spokesperson Cpt Malcom Pojie said that community members mobilised themselves and tried to intimidate the foreigners to leave. "Police however stepped in and quelled the situation."

He said the Pops units will remain in the area to monitor the situation.

Calming the waters

Various meetings were held on Tuesday with police, Kwano Crime Prevention (KCP), community representatives and councillors to restore calm.

At a meeting held on Tuesday afternoon it was concluded that a member of the Human Rights Commission would address the community this week to resolve current issues. "It was agreed that calm and safety need to be brought to the area to prevent further unrest and violence," Bitou Mayor Dave Swart said.

"To prevent ongoing unrest, in an attempt to calm the situation, the following will be loud-hailed to the Kwanokuthula area to request the following of the residents: a voluntary curfew after 22:00 to minimise the number of people on the streets; a voluntary closure of taverns and businesses at 22:00 and there will be increased police patrols to monitor the area."

There have been heated exchanges between residents and foreigners in Kwanokuthula.

Peace in best interests

Swart said that he was disappointed that some "elements of the community" had taken matters into their own hands.

He said residents had handed over a petition with several demands which had been addressed and responded to.

"These responses were provided to the leadership of the Kwanokuthula community structure and they reported this to the community.

"Unfortunately, some members of the community took matters into their own hands instead of raising any unhappiness with Bitou Municipality."

He said that despite this, the municipality remains committed to calming the situation with the help of all the stakeholders.

"It is in everyone's best interest to find peace and understanding because we can ill afford any negativity that could have dire consequences on our efforts to rebuild the economy and create jobs."

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