Following the successful repatriation of 270 foreign nationals to their original countries last weekend (June 14, 2008) several buses are on stand-by to transport foreign nationals who still want to repatriate, said Chairperson of the Joint Operation Centre Committee Mr. Lungisa Manzi.

This comes after a number of consulate and foreign nationals themselves had requested the eThekwini Municipality and various aid agencies to assist them in this process.  Manzi chairs the JOC, which was established by eThekwini Municipality with relevant departments and aid agencies after the initial suspected xenophobic attacks within the municipal borders.

A total of 55 foreign nationals to date are willing to be repatriated in the upcoming second phase of assisting refugees to return to their countries.

“Part of the problem we are experiencing is some of the foreign nationals do not want to go back to their country of origin but to other countries else where. Currently we have 476 foreign nationals who do not want to be repatriated” said Manzi.
Consulates from different countries played an important role in accompanying their citizens until they reached the border gate. For further information contact: Lungisa Manzi (Disaster Management Unit) on 031 311 4703.

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