South Africa: Ethiopian refugees in peril

By Tizita Belachew | VOA

Johannesburg — Yilma Shoa Taye, a representative of 94 Ethiopians, reports they have been evicted from the Ebenezer Care Center where they have been sheltered for two months.

He says Sister Shelley expelled them from the care center when their UNCHR funding ran out and a tribal leader in the community said neighbors would slaughter the more than 119 refugees in her compound.

The day after VOA reported 94 Ethiopian refugees found homeless and defenseless outside the gates of the Ebenezer Care Center, help arrived.

Amnesty International called the South African police, who provided 24-hour protection for the 94 Ethiopian refugees and a dozen others who had been expelled from the center. A member of the city council sought renewal of UNCHR funding and requested they be readmitted to the center. Yilma reports that President Jacob Zuma has been on the radio denouncing threats of violence against refugees.