By Odette Ismail
01 September 2006
The Somali community is too afraid to return to Masiphumelele near Kommetjie after 27 of their shops was destroyed on Monday night.
The provincial government arranged for an inter-community conflict resolution committee and an investigation into attacks of Somalis in the Western Cape.
A group of 80 Somalis according to Independent Online, told representatives of the government and NGOs on Thursday night at a conflict resolution meeting that they still feared returning to the informal settlement.
It is believed that Somalis has been murdered in areas such as Khayelitsha, Delft, Plettenberg Bay, Knysa and Port Elizabeth.
The meeting between residents of Masiphumelele and the Somalis on Thursday night " has borne some fruit" said MEC for Community Safety Leonard Ramatlakne. He said that a joint community venture had bee set up by Masiphumelele residents Somalis and the police and needs to take immediate effect.
A representative of the Masiphumelele Somalis, Mohamed Aden said his fellow Somalis would not be guaranteed their safety.
The group is currently living at a campsite organised by the Fish Hoek Baptist Church. They receive meals from a mosque.
Some Somalis also said that they feel more protected at the campsite and that they don’t want to stay in South Africa.
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