2009-03-10: City introduces measures to manage refugee situation in CBD
THE City of Johannesburg is putting in place immediate measures to deal with the management of the growing number of refugees in the vicinity of the Central Methodist Church. These include the provision of a building to provide temporary accommodation, temporary toilets, regular health inspections, continuous cleaning of the area and additional security.
However, lasting solutions will only be found through the coordinated efforts of all three spheres of government - national, provincial and local - as well as the support of the business sector and the church.
A meeting to discuss an intergovernmental response will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at the office of the MEC for Local Government, Ms Qedani Mahlangu.
The City has been engaging with the church and the business community since the latter part of 2008 when the number of refugees started to increase. With growing health concerns, the City's Department of Health made regular inspections of the Church premises, and also fumigated and took other preventative measures.
An urgent meeting was held with Bishop Paul Verryn on Friday 30 January to discuss immediate measures to manage the situation and to find a longer-term solution.
The Bishop requested assistance with emergency accommodation for refugees.
The City indicated that it could make a building available for lease to the Methodist Church, subject to a series of conditions on the management of the building and of the existing church premises.
The lease is being prepared but the immediate challenge is the refurbishment of the building, which has budget implications. The building may assist in managing the problem but it is not an ultimate solution as numbers are already greater than can be accommodated.
The critical short-term concern is the effective management of the precinct around the Central Methodist Church where up to 4 000 people may currently be sheltering. The City has put a number of measures in place to facilitate the day-to-day management of the situation. These include the following:
The establishment of a joint operational committee involving a number of departments including urban management, environmental health, emergency management services, community development, engaging closely with the Methodist Church and Home Affairs;
Thirty toilets to deal with health threats;
Regular health inspections and fumigation;
Daily cleaning of the streets, including the use of high powered hoses, and more regular waste collection;
Fencing of certain areas (to be completed this week) to ensure continued access to the Church and to minimize the impact on business;
Additional security around the affected areas;
Restriction of trading; and
Development of house rules for the church and the precinct
In addition the City is working to:
Appoint at least 40 marshals to control the crowds
Register all those in the precinct so that management is easier
Restrict further movement of people into the precinct
The City appreciates the impact of the situation on business activities in the areas and is working closely with the business sector to manage it.
There has been a generally good working relationship between business and the City and the City is surprised that Pitje Chambers decided to go the legal route by naming the City as the first respondent in a High Court application. The City of Johannesburg will contest the case but will continue to work collaboratively with the business sector.
Issued by:
Nthatisi Modingoane
Deputy Director: Communications
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Tel: (011) 407 7354
Fax: (011) 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za
