The joint operations centre in Alexandra brings together local, provincial and national government and non-governmental organisations to help immigrants affected by the xenophobic violence in the township.

THE City has set up a joint operations centre (JOC) in Alexandra to help people who have been displaced by the xenophobic violence that has thrown the township into turmoil since the beginning of the week.

The JOC will co-ordinate the City's activities in the township with the Gauteng province, the national government and a number of non-governmental organisations, in providing humanitarian aid.

Alexandra was calm overnight, said Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minnaar, and remained calm today.

The City has erected five tents, 10 chemical toilets and a water tank at the JOC. According to figures supplied to it, there are 618 displaced people in Alexandra, 163 of whom are women and children at the Alexandra police station, and 455 in tents.

Some 414 people have been entered into a database, consisting of 365 adults and 49 children.

Neria Malefetse, the South African Police Service station communication officer at Alexandra, confirmed that there was only one incident in the township on Thursday night, 15 May, in which five suspects were arrested and charged with housebreaking and theft.

Under control
"We have got the xenophobic incidents under control," she said. But well over 1 000 people were sleeping at the Alexandra police station at night, with another group of foreigners sleeping at the nearby Bramley station, she said.

She confirmed that there had been two deaths related to the xenophobic violence in Alexandra. She indicated, however, that South Africans were also being attacked, putting it down to the emergence of the criminal element.

"We have beefed up police manpower, with constant patrols and high visibility in the township."

Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, the head of communication and liaison services for the provincial police, said that more than 60 people had been injured in Alexandra, while 64 had been arrested.

But while Alexandra might have calmed, the violence against foreigners had shifted to Diepsloot in northern Johannesburg, where violence erupted overnight, with residents firing on JMPD officers, Minnaar said. Metro police returned fire with rubber bullets and 17 people were arrested for public violence, while 23 foreigners were accommodated in the Methodist Church in Diepsloot.

Mariemuthoo confirmed that Diepsloot was now "quiet".

"The City is again appealing to Johannesburg residents not to participate in violent attacks against any resident," said Gabu Tugwana, its communication director.

"While acknowledging that there may be challenges in housing, unemployment and other issues, the governing structures have already started an intense programme to increase consultation with all members of the community."

Communication
Meetings involving the ANC, national, provincial and local government officials, as well as community leadership, were taking place.

"This intense and ongoing communication has created a platform for residents to work out a way of finding effective solutions to the crisis." He stressed that there was "no justification for resolving challenges by violent means".

He reiterated the City's condemnation of criminal activity, encouraging communities to expose those provoking violent attacks. "In the meantime, the City will continue to provide material support and assistance to those who have been displaced by the violence."

The City has a Migrants Helpdesk that provides migrants with information on housing, education, healthcare, and non-governmental organisations. The helpdesk is in the CJ Cronje Building, 80 Loveday Street, Braamfontein.

Related stories:

• City condemns Alexandra violence
• Migrants get support at helpdesk
• There is 'strength in diversity'