Update

GEORGE NEWS - The leadership of Thembalethu Qina Mhlali, a community advocacy group, has distanced itself from yesterday’s (7 June) brief unrest in the area, following an online article published earlier today regarding a community meeting held yesterday afternoon.

In a formal statement posted on George Herald’s Facebook page, the leadership said: 

“We wish to place on record that the purpose of the meeting was never to incite violence, target any individual, or encourage unlawful actions against foreign nationals. The meeting was convened precisely because we have witnessed growing tensions within our community, and we believe that responsible leadership requires dialogue, lawful engagement, and peaceful solutions. 

“As community leaders, we have consistently maintained that residents do not have the legal authority to remove individuals from the country, inspect permits, or take immigration matters into their own hands. Such responsibilities belong to the relevant government departments and law enforcement agencies.”

According to the statement, the gathering was convened in response to growing community tensions, and aimed to promote dialogue and lawful engagement with the relevant authorities. 

“For this reason, we resolved to engage the relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration Services, the Department of Employment and Labour, the SAPS and local government structures. We have also engaged with the executive mayor of George Municipality, who invited us to a meeting at the municipal chambers to discuss these concerns through proper channels.

“We are therefore disappointed that the article focused primarily on incidents outside the meeting rather than the substantive discussions and resolutions adopted inside the meeting. Had representatives of the media attended the proceedings, they would have heard the frustrations, concerns and lived experiences of the community members, as well as the repeated calls for calm, restraint and lawful conduct.

“Thembalethu Qina Mhlali rejects any form of violence, intimidation, looting or attacks against any person, regardless of nationality. We believe that violence does not solve problems; it only deepens divisions and suffering within communities.

“We remain committed to working with government, law enforcement agencies, community organisations and all residents to ensure that concerns regarding immigration, service delivery, employment and community safety are addressed lawfully and peacefully. 

“Our message is clear: No violence. No vigilantism. No division. We stand for lawful processes, community unity and constructive engagement,” the statement read.

George Herald has requested a contact number from the Thembalethu Qina Mhlali leadership to obtain more details.

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