|
JOBS | DATING | PROPERTY | SHOPPING |
|
|
THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2010 10:30 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2010 10:30 |
|
Zimbabwean refugees should not be allowed to stay in Johannesburg's Central Methodist Church, Gauteng minister for local government Qedani Dorothy Mahlangu said on Friday. "I think [Methodist Bishop Paul Verryn] is exposing them to more danger. We are not condoning what he is doing. We condemn it," she said. Many Zimbabwean refugees arriving in Johannesburg congregate around the church which has been a haven for them for the past two years. According to Verryn, the church is at capacity and as many as 2 000 more Zimbabweans are living on the streets in the vicinity. Mahlangu said the church was not a suitable place for large numbers of refugees. "Any church, any community hall is not meant to be inhabited by people," she said. But despite criticising Verryn, Mahlangu promised continued cooperation with him. "The City of Johannesburg will continue to partner with the Central Methodist Church," she said. Johannesburg mayoral committee member for development planning and urban management Ruby Mathang said the process had begun.  CONTINUES BELOW "We've been approached by the church. They want to get a building. We're currently processing the issues of them leasing a building." Mahlangu said government was negotiating with NGOs to provide accommodation for the thousands of Zimbabwean refugees living in the church and on the streets around the church. She declined to name them as she said negotiations were still ongoing. The NGOs would be better able to provide accommodation for the refugees. She also held out the possibility that private individuals, with appropriate facilities, could house some of the refugees. Mathang and Mahlangu said plans for the refugees would be finalised sometime next week. Mahlangu would not say how refugees who refused to be removed from the church would be dealt with. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there," she said. Verryn could not immediately be reached for comment. Earlier in the week he said he was "absolutely" concerned about the health situation in the church. It was for this reason that Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been operating a clinic in the church. Last Sunday, one of the refugees in the church was diagnosed with meningitis. He has since recovered and those closest to him were treated with prophylactics. MSF nurse Bianca Tolboom said that since November, there had also been four cases of cholera in the church. On Thursday, Mahlangu's department said the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) had created a refugee crisis in Johannesburg. Since February the UNHCR has been providing transport for thousands of Zimbabwean refugees at the Musina showgrounds to come to Johannesburg -- without first informing local authorities. Mahlangu and UNHCR regional representative for Southern Africa Sanda Kimbimbi said that practice would be slowed if not stopped altogether. Zimbabwean refugees would be required to prove they had a place of residence or a job waiting for them in Johannesburg before they would be provided with transport. Kimbimbi said many refugees came to Johannesburg in search of employment. He said refugees would now be advised that this would not necessarily be the best option. -- Sapa TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
Comments
Brencis Price on March 13, 2009, 11:18 pm
Verryn once sheltered ANC members too.
Jon Low on March 14, 2009, 6:57 am
You start a fire, throw more would on it and then blame everyone else because it is hot.
What a ridiculous fool she is. What would the minister like these refugees to do if government has removed all other options for them. They closed down Musina in a paranoid frenzy, where did they think they would go?
K Kidd on March 14, 2009, 8:03 am
Humm an age old question? When as a christian a man comes to you asking for food or shelter what does one do? Does one do what the govenment asks? or what God compels the man to do? Beacause as i see it, the govenment has done little to either help the zimbabwean in his own country, or help the refugee in ours. I note with intrest that most of the aid, help has come from NGO's and volunteers.
brigitta stone on March 14, 2009, 2:46 pm
click here to log in
M&G Online Comment Guidelines In Brief
Advertising Links
|
2,3-million titles to choose from.
iPod nano 16GB - Black, Was R2,499.00 Now R2,299.00! Save R200!
46 000 DVDs and Blu-Ray on sale now!
100s of new releases now in stock. Get the new Sade & Bon Jovi albums.
Widest toy range and unbeatable prices!
AdvertisementsAdvertising links |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 comments
Make us your home page | Add our headlines to your site | Desktop news with NewsFlash
Contact us | About us | Story tip-offs | Online advertising | Print advertising | Subscriptions | Topics A-Z | Corrections | Mobile sites
All material © Mail & Guardian Online. Material may not be published or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
Read the site privacy policy and Ispa code of conduct relating to our blog hosting.
RSS feed
This site is proudly hosted by Internet Solutions. We are a member of the Online Publishers Association.
Contact us | About us | Story tip-offs | Online advertising | Print advertising | Subscriptions | Topics A-Z | Corrections | Mobile sites
All material © Mail & Guardian Online. Material may not be published or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
Read the site privacy policy and Ispa code of conduct relating to our blog hosting.
RSS feed
This site is proudly hosted by Internet Solutions. We are a member of the Online Publishers Association.
 |  |  |
Shame on you, Dorothy!! The city has been inept, uncaring and just plane putrid in its response to the crises (plural) facing Zimbabweans in South Africa. They almost totally ignored the xenophobic attacks - in fact without the rapid response of churches across Gauteng the victims would have been in a really bad state.
Seeking out NGO's to help. I guess the city and province have no money to help. Will we have an underspent budget or will the money line the pockets of ANC officials.
Don't through stones when all you can build is glass houses.