Briardene’s informal settlement foreign nationals ‘feel safe’
A spate of attacks on African nationals in recent weeks has not bothered foreigners living in Briardene Informal Settlement.
FOREIGNERS living in the Briardene Informal Settlement last week told the Northglen News that unlike their fellow countrymen living in and around the city, they felt safe. The foreigners, living in the informal settlement that houses thousands, said they were feeling secure despite the brutal attack that rocked Inanda last week.
Zeyneu Ibrahim who runs a shop in the Briardene, said that his brother, who also runs a spaza shop in the Inanda township, was lucky to escape with his life. The Ethiopian national said his brother was beaten and had two of his front teeth knocked out.
While police have ruled out xenophobia as the cause for the attacks, Ibrahim said it was worrying a sign that the criminals were using such violent techniques especially against African nationals in the townships.
“My brother is okay now and he’s been discharged from hospital. I’ve worked here in Briardene for two years now and have never had a problem; the people are wonderful and very accepting.
“But I worry about my fellow countrymen and the Somalis caught up in the violence. I feel others can learn from the people of Briardene,” he said.
Lerato Tshehlana, originally from Matatiele, works with Ibrahim and says she has never felt intimidated or afraid.
“I feel safe, I feel at home here. I have heard stories of attacks on the Somalians and other foreign nationals who own shops in the townships. It’s very sad and it is not how life should be,” Tshehlana said forlornly.
In May 2008 a wave of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals around the country left more than 50 people dead. Most of the attacks took place in informal settlements.
