Luzuko Pongoma

Johanneburg mayor Parks Tau has vowed that city authorities would take tough actions against those accused of perpetrating xenophobic attacks against foreigners.

Speaking at Monday's World Refugee Day event in Yeoville, Johannesburg, Tau said his council had adopted a policy to integrate migrants into communities.

He said that the city had established a migration advisory committee that would help seek solutions to the problems currently faced.

This comes as tensions are mounting in and around Johannesburg as sporadic attacks on foreigners continue, while those with businesses in townships are being pushed out by locals.

Tau said the integration policy was premised on promoting co-existence between foreigners and locals but said foreigners ought to understand and respect the country’s laws.

He added that South Africans needed to recognise and accept the existence of foreigners in the country.

He said that despite a generally warm reception of foreigners, authorities were, however, “concerned about the random acts of violence and intimidation”.

“We call on the police to act swiftly to bring those responsible for such criminality to book.”

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission has also called for tolerance and respect for human rights, including those of foreigners.

The commission said most migrants, especially those from countries torn by conflict and civil strife, saw South Africa as a beacon of hope in the continent.

“The continued threat of violence and displacement that foreign shop owners, for instance, are faced with, perpetuates a state of insecurity and general unrest. They are often met with mistrust or scorn,” said the commission.