Six years ago, Sithole established the Musina Compassion Refugee Centre, which still lacks appropriate housing structures, electricity and fencing. It is only a tented shelter, incomplete shack and small storeroom, part of which has been partitioned to create a kitchen. Situated 15km from the SA border post, the centre is home to more than 1,000 refugees who spend the day roaming the streets and looking for menial jobs around the community.
“It’s really sad to look after refugees from across Africa without a proper accommodation for them to sleep. When things get bad in Zimbabwe I receive more than 1,000 refugees a week; but in an ordinary week I receive 500 refugees – who are always accompanied by sad stories on their way here. Some will be victims of rape, others are extremely bashed, victims of Amagumaguma, some even come with scars from animal attacks. They are all poverty stricken. I house people from Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, DRC, Nigeria, Cameroon and Somalia. Of late I have been receiving Pakistanis as well but there is not enough accommodation for all of them.
“They sleep under that open tent. With rainy season upon us I ended up digging a trench in the middle of the tent to channel the water away. More than five refugees have died here a few hours after arriving. Some of them shared shocking details of their suffering at the hands of Zimbabwean and South African soldiers along the borders,” said the 55-year-old South African-born pastor.
He paid tribute to Doctors Without Borders group for setting up a toilet structure for the refugees.
“DWB recently built a toilet for us, which has helped with the spread of disease. The United Nations only built a storeroom and small kitchen for us five years ago and we have never heard from them since. No one in Musina helps me with these vulnerable refugees. I finance everything from my pocket despite the fact that I am not working. I can only manage to give them one meal a day which they take at night. There are no blankets and mosquitoes always feast on them. We witness a high level of malaria as we are situated a few metres just away from the mosquito-infested Limpopo river,” added Sithole.
He has managed to control the rowdy xenophobic local community members who always used to attack the refugees.
“I fought with my community who always victimised refugees accusing them for being Kwerekweres out to destabilise their country. They took out their frustrations against these people, who need protection from their own malevolent governments. I struggled to get this stand from the Municipality to construct a temporary structure six years ago. I had to beat-up a xenophobic police officer who always obstructed my ways of trying to secure a better life for refugees. I will die here fighting for a better life for refugees,” he vowed. Sithole quit his professional job four years ago to serve the refugees.
In a series of interviews, refugees shared their excruciating stories.
John Moyo’s story
Moyo fled Masvingo five years ago after facing violence and intimidation because he was part of the MDC group which wanted Zanu (PF) out of power in Masvingo. After being attacked by ruling party supporters he illegally came to SA by Omalayisha and he is determined to remain here until there is a change of government in Zimbabwe. But he has not forgotten the fear and uncertainty that drove him to apply for protection in South Africa.
Tinashe Kujera’s story
As a Zimbabwean, “leaving your country for good is one of the hardest decisions you can be forced to make. It means a break with all that you know – your family, your livelihood and your friends.”
Kujera (28) knows this only too well. As a young boy, his brother disappeared and his family was continued victimised by notorious Green Bombers, War Vets, Cops and soldiers as his family was instrumental in pioneering for change Buhera.
Kujera had to seek refuge in Musina after continued victimisation; he went for weeks without food, until Pastor Sithole took him to his centre. He is now used to this life even though still living under extreme poor conditions. He appreciates the role the Pastor is playing in his life and now holds Asylum papers thanks to his influence.
Blaise Kabamba’s story
Kabamba (46) left DRC 10 years ago after his entire family member were butchered by the rebels and their homestead burnt into ashes. His wish is to remain in SA, as returning home will bring back sad memories and he has no-one back home.
Post published in: News