AD HOC JOINT COMMITTEE ON PROBING VIOLENCE AGAINST FOREIGN NATIONALS 12 JUNE 2015

1. AD HOC JOINT COMMITTEE ON PROBING VIOLENCE AGAINST FOREIGN NATIONALS 12 JUNE 2015 2015 Summary of Relevant Developments Adam Salmon Patricia Whittle Research Unit Tel: (021) 4038306

2. Overview of 2015 Events • Mid-April 2015 foreign-owned shops in the township of in KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) reported looted and torched as locals attempted to drive out immigrants from other African states. • First of many attacks across KwaZulu-Natal and later Johannesburg. • After initial attacks, Government media briefing gave overview of its position and response reiterating condemnation of the “callous acts of violent attacks and looting”. • President appointed Ministers of State Security, Home Affairs & Police to spearhead government response. • Response Strengthened when whole Justice, Crime Prevention & Security (JCPS) Cluster added as well as the Ministers of Department of International Relations and Cooperation Small Businesses, Trade and Industry and Social Development. 2

3. Overview of 2015 Events • Individuals have been sending out fictitious SMS and WhatsApp messages with fictitious and photo-shopped images warning people of imminent attacks. The government stated that it felt that these messages appeared to be orchestrated by elements bent on taking advantage of the unease in communities and instil fear amongst the people • SAPS identified labour dispute over the employment of foreign workers in Isipingo, south of Durban, ignited the xenophobic attacks. • Dispute then spread to Umlazi Township escalated from looting to petrol bomb attacks. • Natjoints said socio economic contributing factors to xenophobia worsened by spread of misinformation, including on social media. • Co-ordinated government security response deploying thousands of security personnel in KwaZulu-Natal & Gauteng. • Dedicated investigation teams established & counter-intelligence operations. 3

4. Social Development, Health & Humanitarian Services • Department of Social Development provided food, shelter & necessities to 1026 displaced persons in shelters in Gauteng & KZN. • Trauma counselling & debriefing services to individuals at shelters. • Specialised services to children in need of care & protection, including Early Childhood Development Programmes in Isipingo and Chatsworth. • Social Development, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Community Safety facilitating Community Dialogues to ensure a smooth reintegration process. • Civilian Secretariat for Police: “We are one Humanity” Campaign launched in May as longer term plan until October: Mass education, Stakeholder Engagement and Celebrations 4

5. JCPS response • Army deployed in xenophobic hot spots including Alexandra Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg & Pretoria • As part of National Joint Operational Centre (NATJOC) continues to operate on a 24-hour basis to coordinate the government-wide response to this situation. • Provincial Joint Operational Structures (PROVJOCS) have also been activated to monitor and curb any potential threats across the 9 provinces. • 307 suspects arrested in connections with attacks on foreigners and public violence across the country. • Members of the SANDF will also be deployed as immigration officers to improve the capacity of the Department of Home Affairs at the border posts. • Reported to Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, or Natjoints, that 1240 extra intelligence operatives deployed including 438 to Gauteng, 271 to Mpumalanga, 263 to KwaZulu-Natal and 187 to Limpopo. 5

6. Presidential Stakeholder Meetings • On 22 April 2015, President convened meeting of stakeholders on attacks against foreign nationals • Discussed migration policy & how various sectors can work with government to promote orderly migration and good relations between citizens and other nationals. • 40 stakeholders from government, business, sports, trade union movement, religious leaders, community formations, youth formations, children, disabled persons, traditional authorities, arts & sports fraternities. • Meeting formed committee comprising of representatives of all stakeholders who will work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee announced by the President. • 24 April 2015 held discussions with leaders of 50 organisations representing foreign nationals resident in South Africa. • President acknowledged though not the first time that attacks happened, majority of South Africans not xenophobic. 6

7. Stakeholder Meeting Suggestions • Government anti-xenophobia campaign in communities to discourage xenophobic attitudes and promote integration with all organisations in the country. • Government promotion of social cohesion across all races & foreign nationals including using sport. • Government Reconciliation programmes before reintegration can take place. • SAPS to treat all citizens equally & investigate all cases including by foreign nationals. • Foreign nationals in South Africa should try contribute more to development of communities in which they live. Sharing skills such as maths and science with youth. • Events like Africa Week, in May to educate & promote African unity. • Standardisation of labour practices, so employers can’t employ cheap labour & exploit people creating more equal market. 7

8. Inter Ministerial Committee • 22nd of April 2015: President convened the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration to promote orderly and efficient migration & peaceful co-existence between citizens & non-South Africans. • To Consider social, economic and security aspects. • Includes 14 Ministers: • Presidency: Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation (Chairperson) • Police (Deputy Chairperson) • Home Affairs • Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs • International Relations and Cooperation • Defence and Military Veterans • Social Development • Health • Basic Education • State Security • Justice and Correctional Services • Small Business Development • Trade and Industry • Human Settlements 8

9. Diplomatic Relations • South African vehicles were pelted with stones in Mozambique and southern Lebombo border blockaded, Sasol evacuated 340 South Africans over safety fears. • Harare, Zimbabwe clashes with police as more than 100 marched outside RSA embassy • Economic Community of West African States condemned barbaric, criminal & xenophobic murder of foreigners • Protests outside RSA consulate & High Commission in Abuja resulting in its closure and Nigeria allegedly recalled its High Commissioner. • Minister of Home Affairs met representatives of the African countries whose citizens were effected by the violence. • Minister of International Relations met the related members of the African diplomatic community. • Assured commitment to peaceful co-existence between South African citizens and Migrants. • President briefed SADc heads of state and government at SADC Heads of State & Government Summit, Harare 9

10. President Freedom Day Celebration Speech • Acknowledged 7 people were killed included 3 South Africans • Mozambican citizen Manuel Jossias, brutally killed during a robbery in Alexandra. Used false name since illegal immigrant. • Urged communities to isolate criminals elements who perpetuate such horrendous crimes • Thanked public who already provided information to SAPS about incidents & thousands who registered their condemnation • Address the underlying causes of the violence and tensions: legacy of poverty, unemployment & inequality in country & continent • Ministers, Deputy Ministers & Premiers izimbizo’s with communities nationwide to hear concerns & views to find lasting solutions to challenge. • Complaints raised by South Africans will be attended to: Number of illegal migrants, scarce jobs & lower wages, foreigners benefiting from government services, and illegal business. • None of these complaints justify attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops. • Accusation that all undocumented foreign nationals commit crimes in the country is not true 10

11. Vs. OPERATION FIELA RECLAIM • IMC on migration reports operation Fiela-Reclaim targets “illegal weapons, drug dens, prostitution rings & other illegal activity” and conducted raids in Johannesburg CBD “professional manner” • 8 May Johannesburg CBD area, including the Methodist Church, a sanctuary for migrants, raided and hundreds arrested. • 17 May, Minister in the Presidency from IMC on migration, deniedtargeting foreigners. But of 3,914 arrests, 1,650 (42%) were undocumented foreigners (vs only 5% of total population). • Lawyers for Human Rights involved & tried to consult clients detainees at the Central Johannesburg Police Station and Lindela Repatriation Centre. They were blocked repeatedly despite court orders. • Many locked up ‘illegals’ actually had a right to stay or complicated cases, such as asylum seekers or expired asylum applications. • On 4 May another court order temporarily interdicts the DHA from deporting LHR clients, to allow consultation with their lawyers & orders DHA to provide a list of deportees. • At Lindelaafter the order LHR only saw 7clients. Others couldn't be found • Operation continues & members of the Defence Force have a mandate until the end of June. 11