S. Africa arrests thirty Ugandans
AT least 30 Ugandans have been arrested in the aftermath of the violence in South Africa and are awaiting deportation for illegal entry.
By Alfred Wasike
AT least 30 Ugandans have been arrested in the aftermath of the violence in South Africa and are awaiting deportation for illegal entry.
The Ugandans were rounded up as calm returns following the deployment of the South African Defence Force.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa Kweronda Ruhemba and the chairman of the Ugandan community there, Muhammed Mutepi, yesterday confirmed that the Ugandans were arrested in security swoops during the xenophobic violence that claimed more than 20 foreigners, mainly in the economic capital of Johannesburg, since May 11.
The identity of the Ugandans was concealed.
In the last few days, terror gripped South Africa as the violence spread from Johannesburg to Durban and other cities. The rowdy attackers, wielding hammers, guns, matchettes, cans of petrol and other weapons, accused foreigners of taking their jobs and abetting crime.
Speaking from Pretoria, South Africa’s political capital, 57km from Johannesburg, Ruhemba said: “Several Ugandans without proper papers were arrested in the security operations this week. I know more than 10 were arrested from Lindela, Krugerdrop, about 64km from Johannesburg.â€
“They are awaiting deportation next week. We are going to interview them before they are deported. They are lured by fellow Ugandans with lies that there is a lot of easy money here.
At least 20 Ugandans are deported every month.â€
Speaking from Johannesburg, Mutepi said no Ugandan died in the violence. “They have arrested at least 30 Ugandans. They were arrested during security operations on Tuesday.
Other foreigners who did not have proper papers were also arrested.â€
“The situation has been very dangerous. But the government was under pressure to act fast because of the coming world Cup in 2010. Very many people suspected to have perpetuated the violence were also arrested.
We hope the culprits can be identified and prosecuted for causing damage to life and property,†said Mutepi, who owns two primary schools and other investments in Johannesburg.
He said there were 15,900 registered Ugandans working in South Africa, with 4,900 in Johannesburg.
“Most of the Ugandans are teachers, nurses, doctors, herbalists and mechanics. We are happy with the way our embassy in Pretoria has encouraged us to stay out of trouble or report to the embassy when we are in trouble,†Mutepi noted.
On whether the embassy knows how many Ugandans live in South Africa, Ruhemba said: “We have tried to register them but they are not forthcoming because many of them just sneak in and don’t report. Many times, we only get to know about their presence when they are in trouble or awaiting deportation.
“Our estimates indicate that there are professionals like teachers and doctors who number at least 2,000. Others are traditional medicinemen because a big part of the society here believes in superstition and such things,†the envoy explained.
On how the Ugandans avoided violence, Ruhemba said: “They know how to lie low. Ugandans don’t live in those slum townships, where the xenophobia is. They rent decent homes in suburbs and live in groups in relative safety.
A Ugandan residing in Johannesburg, Henry Wamala, said: “We were not targeted because we live in affluent parts that have tight security.â€
The South African High Commissioner to Uganda, Henry Chiliza, assured Ugandans that they were not being targeted.
The violence has been mainly blamed on rampant poverty and unemployment. The local population blames the foreigners of taking their jobs.
AT least 30 Ugandans have been arrested in the aftermath of the violence in South Africa and are awaiting deportation for illegal entry.
The Ugandans were rounded up as calm returns following the deployment of the South African Defence Force.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa Kweronda Ruhemba and the chairman of the Ugandan community there, Muhammed Mutepi, yesterday confirmed that the Ugandans were arrested in security swoops during the xenophobic violence that claimed more than 20 foreigners, mainly in the economic capital of Johannesburg, since May 11.
The identity of the Ugandans was concealed.
In the last few days, terror gripped South Africa as the violence spread from Johannesburg to Durban and other cities. The rowdy attackers, wielding hammers, guns, matchettes, cans of petrol and other weapons, accused foreigners of taking their jobs and abetting crime.
Speaking from Pretoria, South Africa’s political capital, 57km from Johannesburg, Ruhemba said: “Several Ugandans without proper papers were arrested in the security operations this week. I know more than 10 were arrested from Lindela, Krugerdrop, about 64km from Johannesburg.â€
“They are awaiting deportation next week. We are going to interview them before they are deported. They are lured by fellow Ugandans with lies that there is a lot of easy money here.
At least 20 Ugandans are deported every month.â€
Speaking from Johannesburg, Mutepi said no Ugandan died in the violence. “They have arrested at least 30 Ugandans. They were arrested during security operations on Tuesday.
Other foreigners who did not have proper papers were also arrested.â€
“The situation has been very dangerous. But the government was under pressure to act fast because of the coming world Cup in 2010. Very many people suspected to have perpetuated the violence were also arrested.
We hope the culprits can be identified and prosecuted for causing damage to life and property,†said Mutepi, who owns two primary schools and other investments in Johannesburg.
He said there were 15,900 registered Ugandans working in South Africa, with 4,900 in Johannesburg.
“Most of the Ugandans are teachers, nurses, doctors, herbalists and mechanics. We are happy with the way our embassy in Pretoria has encouraged us to stay out of trouble or report to the embassy when we are in trouble,†Mutepi noted.
On whether the embassy knows how many Ugandans live in South Africa, Ruhemba said: “We have tried to register them but they are not forthcoming because many of them just sneak in and don’t report. Many times, we only get to know about their presence when they are in trouble or awaiting deportation.
“Our estimates indicate that there are professionals like teachers and doctors who number at least 2,000. Others are traditional medicinemen because a big part of the society here believes in superstition and such things,†the envoy explained.
On how the Ugandans avoided violence, Ruhemba said: “They know how to lie low. Ugandans don’t live in those slum townships, where the xenophobia is. They rent decent homes in suburbs and live in groups in relative safety.
A Ugandan residing in Johannesburg, Henry Wamala, said: “We were not targeted because we live in affluent parts that have tight security.â€
The South African High Commissioner to Uganda, Henry Chiliza, assured Ugandans that they were not being targeted.
The violence has been mainly blamed on rampant poverty and unemployment. The local population blames the foreigners of taking their jobs.