Violence in the Former Land of Apartheid Threatens South African Immigrants

Doctors Without Borders Calls it a rapidly deteriorating crisis.

Photos: Violence in the Land of Apartheid Threatens South African Immigrants. Courtesy: Yvonne ZR6TBL

(JOHANNESBURG, South Africa) - Responding to recent outbreaks of violence against migrants in Johannesburg, South Africa, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is currently providing emergency medical care for wounded people seeking shelter in police stations, community halls, and other locations to which they have fled for safety.

Since December 2007, MSF teams have been providing medical assistance to vulnerable Zimbabweans seeking refuge in South In perhaps the most vicious attack, a man was “necklaced” in Reiger Park on the East Rand. Jody Kollapen, chairman of the Human Rights Commission, said such scenes were reminiscent of “the dark days of apartheid”.

Medical student Herbert Nedi tended to him and said the bewildered Tarro, who could only write his name and could not provide a surname, did not know what was happening around him.

“It was clear he did not have a clue what they [the mob] were talking about. He doesn’t understand what is going on,” said Nedi, as Tarro held a cloth to his head.

At the church, next to the Johannesburg High Court, the situation was on a knife edge as hundreds of Zimbabweans and other foreigners prepared for the worst.

They armed themselves with bricks, and a small police contingent had their work cut out as they vowed to protect themselves.

“It’s better in my own country than it is here,” he told The Times. “I would rather go back and die in Zimbabwe than be killed by South Africans,” he said.

Tony Maara, 30, said: “I have never been more frightened. I didn’t go to work on Saturday because I was threatened. The world must take note of what is happening here.” His sentiments were echoed by 25- year-old Brian Burayai of Zimbabwe.

He said his brother was beaten up on Saturday when a group of Zulu-speaking men asked him if he knew the Zulu word for “elbow”. When he could not answer, they started beating him. “I thought I would be safe here because Mugabe is a serial killer. But these locals are just as bad,” he said.