Statement on Xenophobic Attacks

Western Cape Minister for Community Safety Leonard Ramatlakane says that provincial government, the South African Police Services and various partners are working together and are engaging with communities of foreign nationals on finding ways to avert possible outbreaks of xenophobic related attacks.

Minister Ramatlakane has also offered his support at a stakeholders meeting that will be hosted by the South African Police Services later today (20 May 2008) in Bishop Lavis at 16:00, where further discussions will be tabled on intervention measures for averting possible outbreaks of xenophobic incidents.

Members of the criminal justice cluster, several government departments and community organisations will attend today's meeting.

Minister Ramatlakane says "It is important that we work together in partnership and also inclusive of the community leaders of the foreign nationals. We have had fruitful engagements with the Somali communities in Masiphumelele, Worcester and other parts and we have covered a lot of ground in engaging one another. We are continuing to engage in this form.

"I am also in full support of the SAPS plans and those of the Metro police that they have drawn up to avert possible outbreak of similar incidents - all of these measures are welcome and are a demonstration that we are on full alert because we would like at all costs to avoid an outbreak of hostility between our locals and foreign nationals, we want to avert that, hence these engagements.

"I call on the communities in our province to exercise a culture of tolerance and let us rather extend a hand of friendship towards our brothers and sisters from other parts of our continent." said Minister Ramatlakane in a passionate appeal.

Provincial government will be hosting a one and a half day (Thursday 22 May and Friday 23 May) seminar that will focus on the challenges and opportunities of international migration.

Premier Ebrahim Rasool will address the gathering, which will be held at the Ritz hotel in Sea Point on the 22 - 23 May 2008.

Other speakers will include Abel Jeru Mbilinyi - a country representative for the UN High Commissioner on Refugees and SAPS Acting National Commissioner, Tim Williams.

Enquiries:

Makhaya Manie
Spokesperson/Media Liaison Officer: MEC Ramatlakane
Ministry of Community Safety
tel: 021 483 3873
cell: 082 780 4493