Last refugee shelters closed
2008-10-01 17:28
Johannesburg - Remaining temporary shelters for victims of xenophobic violence were closed in Gauteng on Wednesday, Provincial Government said.
"They were closed due to remaining foreign nationals voluntarily reintegrating back into their communities," said spokesperson Simon Zwane.
He said out of 20 000 displaced foreign nationals only half received temporary accommodation at the six temporary shelters which were set up around Gauteng.
Reports later indicated that from that number there were about 1 800 people being sheltered last week - and by Tuesday there were 350 people staying at the two remaining temporary shelters which were at Rand Airport and Boksburg.
"All who remained indicated a readiness to take up financial support offers and reintegrate back into their communities.
"Our gratitude goes especially to communities which had to accommodate the setting up of all the six temporary shelters across Gauteng," Zwane said.
- SAPA