News / Africa
SA xenophobic threats, Zimbabweans on high alert
16 Aug 2014 at 15:25hrs | Views
Zimbabweans living in South Africa are on high alert following threats of xenophobic attacks by locals reportedly set for today, The Zimbabwe Mail reported.
The move was allegedly inspired by a botched robbery that ended up with the death of a South African in Johannesburg's high density suburb of Diepsloot on Thursday.
In a telephone interview with The Zimbabwe Mail on Friday, the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa (ZCSA) chairperson, Ngqabutho Mabhena, confirmed the threats, adding that his organisation had gathered that locals were also angry over the extension of permits to be issued to Zimbabweans.
"We are receiving reports that there are threats to hold an anti-foreigner demonstration in Diesploot township, Johannesburg, tomorrow morning (today). This demonstration is said to be targeting Zimbabweans over the decision by the minister of Home Affairs (Malusi Gigaba) to grant Zimbabweans permits. We are told there is so much anger among the South African communities over the extension of permits," Mabhena said.
The South African government early this week announced that its cabinet had on August 6 agreed to a new permit dispensation for 250 000 Zimbabweans who were granted permits in 2009.
Mabhena said the mood at Diepsloot "is tense with heavy police presence" with a possibility of a snowball effect into other high density areas and cities.
"The organisers (of the xenophobic attacks) in Diepsloot are said to be co-ordinating with other townships for broad demonstrations," he said.
About 60 foreigners were killed in 2007 in xenophobic attacks across South Africa, targeting Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Nigerians, Somali and Pakistani nationals.
The attacks were largely attributed to increasing unemployment and poor service delivery, amenities and increasing crime which they blamed on the influx of foreigners.
Source - Zim Mail
