Officials in a farming community near Cape Town, South Africa, say they are withdrawing shelter and services from some 2,500 Zimbabweans living in tents near Cape Town after apparent xenophobic-inspired attacks in November.
The Zimbabweans took refuge in the farm town of De Doorns about 140 kilometers from Cape Town after their homes were attacked and demolished by South Africans nationals over alleged underbidding for farm labor.
A recently released study by researcher Jean Pierre Misago of the University of the Witwatersrand's Forced Migration Studies Program said the incident was sparked by tension between Zimbabwean and South African labor brokers with local brokers or "spanners" fanning resentment against foreign brokers.
The De Doorns local authority has told the migrants they must return to their homes, but the Zimbabweans fear new attacks if they do so.
Zimbabwe Exiles Forum Executive Director Gabriel Shumba said the move by officials in De Doorns is contrary to statements by President Jacob Zuma promising the country would adopt immigrant-friendly policies.
Global Forum Zimbabwe Coordinator Norah Tapiwa told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira the move by De Doorns officials is worrisome.
