The Zimbabwe Consulate in Cape Town has been called in to assist 67 nationals and 21 children who were evicted from their homes in Nompumelelo outside KuGompo (East London) or Buffalo City in the Eastern Cape over the weekend in xenophobic violence.
The consulate has been asked to assist in repatriating these families, who are now living in the veld.
There are also reports of foreign-owned shops being shut down by xenophobic gangs in the Eastern Cape, with similar anti-immigrant campaigns taking place in Durban.
These campaigns have been styled as “clean-up” operations by groups such as March and March, but video evidence shows what appear to be locals confronting foreigners and demanding that they return to their own countries.
Tensions appear to be building ahead of an anti-immigrant protest planned for 4 May.
“We are xenophobic,” reads a message from protest organisers. “We want all foreigners, documented or not, out of this country as a matter of urgency.”
eNCA reports that three shop owners of Somali origin were gunned down in the Johannesburg CBD, apparently as part of an escalating turf war. Ward 59 councillor Sthembiso Hlatshwayo said he had approached the Gauteng premier’s office to intervene, but had not received a response.“Things are worse as we speak, and they are going to be worse still. They are killing each other. Each and every week, they kill two; it is a reality,” he told eNCA.
Ghana has formally protested the treatment of some of its nationals in SA, while Nigeria and other countries have expressed concern at the spread of xenophobic language and violence.
Violence condemned
Last week acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia condemned acts of violence against foreigners and promised to bring culprits before the courts.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola told government officials last week that acts of lawlessness, intimidation and violence against migrant communities has “no place in our constitutional democracy.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at the Freedom Day celebrations in Bloemfontein at the weekend, touched on the role of other African nations in assisting SA in its journey to political freedom.
“We are a people who live the value of ubuntu.
“We must not allow these concerns to give rise to xenophobia, directed towards people from other African countries or other any parts of the world. Instead, we must insist that the law be upheld and enforced.
“That is why we are clamping down on illegal migration and on businesses that flout our laws by hiring undocumented persons at the expense of our citizens.”
The government is rooting out corruption in the immigration system and will not allow people to take the law into their own hands, he added.
However, there is plenty of evidence of people taking the law into their own hands (as shown in X posts.
Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee says there is growing evidence of Ethiopian businesspeople being targeted in the Johannesburg CBD, following a shooting of three men at a McDonalds at the corner of Small and Jeppe streets. Police are looking for the suspects.
Advocate Simba Chitando, who represents the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Association (Zepha), says he has been asked to assist several Zimbabwean families affected by the xenophobic violence in KuGompo over the weekend.
“The victims have been targeted by widespread, systematic, state-sponsored violence, and many have been rendered destitute. I have been in touch with the Zimbabwean mission in South Africa and I am informed they will meet on an urgent basis to provide consular assistance to the affected Zimbabwean citizens,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this latest incident is one of many recurring acts of violence by South African nationals specifically targeting foreigners from the region, which has led to the closure of South Africa’s doors to citizens from neighbouring countries.
“Meanwhile, South African companies and individuals are raking in profits from their African businesses and benefiting from the red carpet that Africa has rolled out for them,” said Chitando. – moneyweb.co.za
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