Violence, Labour and the Displacement of Zimbabweans in De Doorns, Western Cape

From 14-17 November 2009, De Doorns, a farming area in Breede Valley Municipality, Western Cape Province, was the scene of violence that resulted in the forceful displacement of an estimated 3000 Zimbabweans and the destruction and looting of their dwellings by their South African neighbours.

This policy brief provides a summarised analysis of causal factors, police responses and solutions adopted and/or proposed in relation to this violence. For assessments of the humanitarian support provided to the displaced, see regular situation reports by UNHCR and CoRMSA. Our research suggests that many current analyses miss critical causal factors behind the violence and that proposed responses and solutions may be neither appropriate nor durable. Beyond helping to find immediate solutions, this report suggests that the De Doorns violence has broader significance in terms of national patterns of violence against foreign nationals. There are three reasons for our concern:

• De Doorns represents the first large scale displacement of foreign nationals since the xenophobic violence of May 2008;
• The violence affected a rural farming area whereas the 2008 violence was concentrated primarily in urban informal settlements;
• It selectively targeted Zimbabweans despite the presence of other foreign nationals (e.g. Lesotho nationals) living and working in the same area; and
• It reflects the continuing challenge by South African authorities to develop effective early warning, prevention and disaster response mechanisms.

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This brief draws on an intensive three-day research visit (19-21 November 2009) conducted by the Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) at the University of the Witwatersrand. During this period, researchers conducted in-depth interviews with local residents, victims, local authorities (Mayor, Police Commissioner, Ward Councillor) farmers’ representatives and humanitarian assistance providers. The FMSP will release a more detailed research report in January 2010.
These sitreps can be requested from Tina Ghelli [GHELLI@unhcr.org] and CoRMSA [info@cormsa.org.za].