The Kouga Municipality
released a statement early today, June 3, indicating that about 180 foreign nationals and 220
nationals from across South Africa – including young children – were safely
taken from the Entabeni informal settlement in Hankey to a place of safety on
Wednesday night, June 1, and Thursday morning, June 2.
This after Hankey
residents reportedly turned on them with claims that a Lesotho national had
killed two Centerton residents over the weekend. The alleged suspect is still
at large.
According to Kouga
Deputy Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, residents demanded all foreign
nationals and nationals to leave town with immediate effect – blocking the road
and burning tyres.
“The conflict
culminated on Wednesday night, and the rioting locals set fire to some of the
people’s homes.” he said.
“The nationals fled
soon after this.
“Kouga
Municipality, in conjunction with the Lesotho Embassy, is in the process to
secure busses to transport the Lesotho nationals to Lesotho, while the rest of
the South African nationals will go back to their homes.”
