About 221 foreign nationals who were housed at the two shelters set up by the City of Ekurhuleni in Katlehong have left for their countries of origin today. Ninety-six (96) Zimbabwean nationals left Tsholo Hall in Katlehong this morning in two buses, while 125 Mozambique nationals left this afternoon in three buses from DH Williams Hall, also situated in Katlehong. The mortal remains of Mr Isaac Sithole from Zimbabwe who lost his life during the attacks at Mandela Park informal settlement in Katlehong were also repatriated.
Ekurhuleni Speaker of Council, Cllr Alderman Patricia Kumalo officiated over a prayer service to send off Sithole home, and led the procession that went to Mandela informal settlement where Sithole died for his family to perform cultural rituals. During prayer service, Speaker of Council Cllr Kumalo urged residents of Ekurhuleni to denounce attacks on foreign nationals. She also said that the City will continue working with the relevant departments and Embassies and consulates of different countries to curb the attacks.
The Zimbabwean nationals, comprising of 113 adults and 23 children, were ferried in three buses. All children that left the centres were with their parents. The City worked with the concerned Embassies, consulates offices, as well as Department of Home Affairs for documentation of the undocumented and those who lost their immigration documents during the attacks. The City, in addition to providing humanitarian services to the displaced, worked in collaboration with NGOs, faith-based organizations and relevant government departments to ensure safe repatriation of the displaced persons who wished to return to their counties of origin.
The respective consulates carried the costs for repatriation. Those who will remain will be reintegrated into local communities after the necessary consultations are done with affected communities. Consultations to reintegrate them into local communities has started.
Comments