The international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today expressed alarm at the process of relocation imposed on the people displaced by recent violence in Johannesburg. After living in unacceptable conditions for up to three weeks, the people displaced are now being relocated by the South African government, without proper access to information about their rights and options, to sites that are unprepared and insecure.

“Our patients have already been traumatised by the violence they have suffered and the abhorrent conditions of displacement,” said MSF nurse Bianca Tolboom. “They say they are being treated like animals, they are not given any information about where they are being taken, how long they will remain and what the plans are afterwards. They are paralysed to make any kind of informed decision. This uncertainty only exacerbates their trauma.”

Preparation of sites for relocation started on Saturday, three weeks after the first eruption of violence in Johannesburg. Despite the concerns expressed by humanitarian actors about the conditions of the sites and the timeframe of the process, relocation started on Sunday, 1 June. There is no true freedom of movement for the displaced people, who are stuck between relocation to unsuitable sites and return to their countries of origin, including those experiencing political unrest. In addition, at this stage the sites are unsuitable for receiving the displaced people: basic conditions of shelter, water and sanitation are not met and protection is far from guaranteed.

“One of the sites is in a dusty old mine dump. This site in particular will be harmful to people’s health, especially those already suffering respiratory infections, the most common diagnosis among our patients. There are too few latrines, tents are too close together, and sharp drops make the grounds unsafe for children,” said Rachel Cohen, head of mission for MSF in South Africa. “We have witnessed families being separated and have heard numerous reports of intimidation by security companies sub-contracted to

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