Zimbabweans caught up in xenophobic attacks in South Africa have been telling their stories to the media despite Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi’s (pictured) claiming that they had not been affected.
Mohadi told Southern Eye that he was not aware of Zimbabweans caught up in the violence after he was quizzed about the government’s response to the attacks.
But some locals are said to be among hundreds of foreigners whose children could no longer go to school because of the violence.
“We left everything when we fled; our lives became the foremost priority and one didn’t think to grab a school bag or uniform. But it’s all gone now because our homes have since been looted,” Abias Chazike said.
Chazike is a father of four with two children enrolled at Brooklyn Heights Primary School and three-year-old twins attending a local preschool.
“Even if we get assistance with the uniforms, books and transport there’s still the issue of how safe they would be travelling from here to the school,” he said.
“I’m also worried that they might be victimised and called names by the children they go to school with.”
Zimbabwean Ogreth Ngwenya said they were taking their children back to their home countries, which would negatively affect their education.
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They said their children were born in South Africa and not familiar with the languages in other African countries.
Another Zimbabwean, Paul Chikaanhadzi, said it saddened him to see his little girl, Andinakho (5), sitting idly at the camp when she could have been enjoying her time with friends at school.
“Children are very smart; they know that they should have been at school today. On top of missing home, they are now missing out on a part of their childhood,” he said.
The Bottlebrush Community Outreach, a Christian charity organisation running a feeding scheme in Durban, brought stationery to the children at the camp on Monday.
“We’ve been coming here every day to volunteer our services, keep the children occupied and play with them, because there is not much for them to do around the camp,” Marieke Moodley said.
Twenty-two people have been arrested so far in connection with attacks on foreigners and looting of shops in Durban.
“The police operation continues and more could be arrested,” police spokesman Thulani Zwane said.
Attacks started in Isipingo, south of Durban, a week ago and had since spread to KwaMashu, Umlazi and Chatsworth, Zwane added.
It is still not clear how many foreigners have died. − ANA/Staff Reporter
