Widespread fear has set in across the country as a recent spate of xenophobic attacks has reared its ugly head once again. According to a recent report, Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini says that the attacks shouldn’t be referred to as xenophobic because only African foreign nationals are being targeted and not other foreigners from across the world. Yesterday afternoon, Johannesburg became the target of violence with attacks and vehicle stonings and many terrified foreign shop owners were forced to close shop. According to the report below, government apparently has the xenophobia attacks under control. I read a tweet the other day that said, “We are all foreigners somewhere” – here’s hoping the situation calms down ASAP. Trending on Twitter currently is the hashtag #No2xenophobia. Read some tweets below. – Tracey Ruff
Amanda Khoza, News24
Durban – State Security Minister David Mahlobo says government has xenophobia under control.
Addressing local traders and small business owners at the eThekwini City Hall on Wednesday, Mahobo said the recent attacks on foreigners were barbaric and inhumane.
“We condemn the act in the strongest terms. Don’t let people use our name to commit criminal acts in our country, whether you are South African or a foreign national. We have heard that local traders say that foreigners are taking their jobs. We want to tell you that we are on top of the situation, we know that we are dealing with a big problem,” said Mahlobo adding that people, South African or not, needed to respect the laws of the land.
“We cannot as South Africans attack foreigners, that is not the peace or friendship that is enshrined in the Constitution. Let’s stand together and say, not in our name,” said Mahlobo.
He said he grew up in KwaZulu-Natal and recalls the violent past.
“But KwaZulu-Natal took a stance that it wanted peace, let us do the same,” said Mahlobo.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu said: “There are incidences of criminality which involve foreign nationals and there have been arrests. We have also found that there is animosity of foreigners owning businesses in the community and people start to wonder how they succeed when they have not succeeded,” said Mchunu who appealed to journalist to be responsible in their reporting.
“I am not saying that you should begin to lie. I am saying just be careful. This is your country too. The majority of the people living here do not want to see what is happening in Durban. But they also have their concerns about the presence of foreign nationals in the areas where they live. It is something that we need to address. We also need the support of everybody,” he said.
Mchunu said government has been working tirelessly to quell the violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said: “There are three things that need to be done to ensure thriving South African business.
“The first one is the tightening of regulations at national and provincial levels to apply the by-laws so that foreign owned shops comply with the regulations.
“Secondly, we need to ensure sufficient initiatives for small businesses and small traders at the same time force them to up their entrepreneurial game. [Lastly] we need to work together with foreign nationals whose permits allow them to trade, they must be allowed to operate,” said Gigaba.
Economic and Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu said: “There are no reasons to attack other people. We want more businesses men and women in South Africa. But we are saying that Rome was not built in one day.”
News24
SA people enough now. We can’t go on like this. Say NO to xenophobia.. #no2xenophobia. God loves us all as one. pic.twitter.com/3ffZiRCi9J
— Jabu Lukhele (@javasjel) April 16, 2015
  South Africans rally to support victims of violence. #No2Xenophobia http://t.co/VfROMzEeuc
— South Africa People (@sapeople) April 16, 2015
@ImranGarda I am Standing Up Today. Peace March for a United South Africa- Durban #No2Xenophobia pic.twitter.com/hDRwepIIoS
— Maqsuda Motala Kader (@MaqsudaMotala) April 16, 2015
