Refugees battle to get back into business
Richards Bay Refugee Community representative, Mmindje Kabakilwa Steven, was again warned in early September and late October that he would be killed, but he said he would continue to fight for the rights of his co-victims
DESPITE threats on his life, a local refugee leader is adamant he will continue, on behalf of fellow foreign nationals whose businesses were burnt down and looted during riots in the Richards Bay CBD in July, to fight for their rights.
At the time, an angry mob targeting petty criminals linked to drug-related activities in and around the Taxi City Plaza, also directed their wrath on innocent foreigners trading in the town.
Richards Bay Refugee Community representative, Mmindje Kabakilwa Steven, was again warned in early September and late October that he would be killed, but he said he would continue to fight for the rights of his co-victims.
‘I was threatened with death by certain taxi drivers who accused me of trying to help only foreigners, and not locals,’ said Steven, who denied that is the case.
‘In fact, even as I am trying to re-open those affected businesses through financial assistance from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), aid is also being extended to local vendors at the Taxi City ranks.
‘UNHCR has offered start-up capital to the victims of the riots but they have also visited and assessed others at the rank and promised the same financial help.
‘On Wednesday and Thursday this week, UNHCR partners shared guidance on business skills and social cohesion with them.
‘We want everyone to prosper and live in peace,’ said Steven, a Congolese national who has been in limbo in South Africa for 18 years, still seeking permanent residence – a symptom of the tardy official processes affecting genuine refugees.
Violence condemned
Meanwhile, the violent behaviour of refugees in Cape Town last week has been condemned by Steven, speaking on behalf of some 200 local asylum seekers who hail from war-torn African countries.
Foreign nationals who were being harboured at the Methodist Church resisted instructions to vacate the church and physically attacked and injured interfaith ministers, including Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba.
Police deployed stun grenades and water cannons during the eviction.
Similar resistance to evictions had taken place in Pretoria last Thursday.
‘We, the refugee community in Richards Bay strongly condemn the lawless behaviour of the group who assaulted Archbishop Makgoba and South African Human Rights Commissioner, Rev Chris Nissen.
‘As refugees facing the same challenges as them, protected and guided by the same South African Constitution, we totally understand their frustrations,’ said Steven.
‘There are so many unresolved matters between refugees, United Nations agencies and the South African government, and while some of the burning issues may be resolved quickly, others require a process which might need different stakeholders to become involved.
‘As people we have to understand that and be patient. Regardless of how angry one might be, there should always be a better way to address or resolve our problems.
‘We should all understand that our rights are not a licence to abuse or assault others.
‘In our context as refugees, we can’t violently claim our rights through breaching the law. We should always, and by all means, be peacefully and constructively negotiating not only for durable solutions but also for relaying positive images of all concerned.
‘We as the Richards Bay refugee community are not confused and would like to publicly make our position known concerning the matter.
We don’t and shall not support such kind of behaviour.’
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