The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Probing Violence Against Foreign Nationals yesterday were told by community members of Hangberg in Hout Bay that there is no xenophobia in Hout Bay.

The Committee received a presentation from the South African Police Service which stated the high unemployment rate, the over population of urban areas, competition of small businesses, non-regulation of shop owners and business hours, alleged involvement of foreign nationals in drug trade and dealing in stolen property as root causes of violence against foreign nationals in the Western Cape Province. The Committee also received a presentation from the Agency for Refugee Education, Skills Training and Advocacy, a non-governmental organisation that listed ignorance, negative attitudes and socio-economic ills as some root causes of the violence.

Members of the community of Hout Bay who addressed the Committee during the public meeting included community leaders, a member from SANCO, the chairperson of the Peace and Mediation Forum of Hangberg, spaza shop owners, foreign nationals and ordinary members of the community. Most community members told the Committee that there is no xenophobia in Hout Bay but there is peaceful co-existence between foreign nationals and South Africans. Community members say criminal elements that led to the recent attack on the foreign national in Hangberg also affect local South Africans who have also been victims of violent attacks due to crime. Members have also listed socio-economic conditions and inequality as problems that are affecting the community of Hout Bay.

The Committee has also noted the contribution made a member of the public who is a foreign national from Malawi living in Hangberg who stressed the need for government to assess the contribution of foreign nationals living in South African to the economy.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee on probic violence against foreign nationals, Ms Ruth Bhengu and Mr Tekoetsile Motlashuping