Statement on the Attacks on Foreign Nationals and shops

The Zimbabwe Community South Africa wishes to express its outright condemnation on the attack of foreign nationals and in particular any Zimbabweans.

While we acknowledge and even empathize with South Africans on some of the issues they are raising particularly on crime, drug dealing, job shortages and illegal trade, it is disingenuous to articulate all this to foreigners. It is our view that social ills are a responsibility of the entire community and thus more sensible resolutionary approaches can be used. It is not correct to loot and destroy South Africa’s infrastructure in the name of protest – what are you then left with!

We acknowledge that many sections of the South African populace have condemned the callous acts of criminality which have even involved the death of people. We praise all progressive sections of society who empathize with the unsolicited plight of many immigrants.

We reject with the disdain it deserves, any member of society who commits acts of criminality and lawlessness in the guise of claiming they are attacking “illegal” and/or “undocumented” foreigners. We believe the South African government has the capacity to manage migration and enforce the laws and any by-laws necessary and any form of vigilantism cannot be helpful to the perception of South Africa as a nation particularly during this strenuous economic period.

We further advise and warn any Zimbabwean nationals who may be committing any crimes to refrain from such. We are confident that the large majority of Zimbabweans are hard working and law abiding and many have been largely documented through the various South African government documentation projects, which we have welcomed and participated in rolling out.

We edge community leaders and politicians to refrain making inflammatory statements that serve to rile the people to wanton acts of xenophobia and criminality in the name of protest action. We urge law enforcement to work with foreigners as well to augment crime intelligence gathering and take proactive action unlike this time where they ignored numerous tips that these activities of xenophobic attacks were being planned.

Finally we call on social cohesion and harmony and combined efforts to solve the issues raised by the communities Zimbabweans in South Africa live among.

Statement by
Zimbabwe Community South Africa

Spokesperson – Bongani Mazwi Mkwananzi +27 73 984 0241
Chairman – Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena +27 83 340 1000