Cape police establish safety forum against attacks

Protesters chant slogans during clashes in Reiger Park informal settlement

Cape Town police, NGOs and government representatives have agreed to establish what they called a "Safety Forum" to address possible xenophobic attacks in the Peninsula. Senior police officials, NGO's and refugees met in the Mother City to thrash out proposals on how to prevent or deal with xenophobic attacks should they occur.

The 10-member forum will have representatives from the police, refugee groups and government.

The meeting has also heard that refugees in the Du Noon informal settlement near Milnerton and Gugulethu have received anonymous letters of eviction. Provincial police commissioner, Mzwandile Petros, told the meeting that police investigations have not been able to confirm this information. Petros however says they need to be pro-active.

An emergency line will be set up for the communities to report any information on xenophobic attacks. He promised speedy and effective service to the communities that might be affected. Fatima Khan of the UCT law clinic was not impressed, stating that they have received several reports from refugees, of police who fail to respond even to emergency calls.

He called on the communities and NGOs to forward to the police any information suggesting xenophobic attacks. Petros says he however does not believe the province is under any imminent threat of such xenophobic attacks. - SABC