News / National
Zimbabweans killed in new SA xenophobic attacks
17 Feb 2014 at 17:16hrs | Views
TWO Zimbabweans were brutally killed by a mob of South Africans in Thohoyandou while three sustained serious injuries in suspected fresh xenophobic attacks in the neighbouring country.
The incident occurred on Monday last week at Tswinga village outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo province.
The two Zimbabweans were abducted from their homes and taken to a secluded spot where they were brutally assaulted. One of the victims died instantly while the other died at a hospital due to the injuries sustained from the beatings.
South African police commander for Thohoyandou Cluster, General Nyiketani Baloyi confirmed the incident.
"We received reports of attacks on foreigners during which two Zimbabweans were killed," he said.
"We have taken a decision that this matter be thoroughly investigated. We have since launched an operation to clear the area. What is happening cannot be allowed in South Africa and we will leave no stone unturned and all perpetrators of violence will be brought to book."
Gen Baloyi, however, could not release the names of the victims saying their relatives were yet to be informed.
He said he visited the scene where the two Zimbabweans were killed and described the incident as anarchy that would not be allowed in South Africa.
Zimbabweans living in Vhembe District in Limpopo province have been the subject of ridicule and blame for crime with locals taking it upon themselves to "weed out" foreigners blaming them for "fuelling" crime in the area.
According to witnesses, hundreds of locals moved from one village to another in search of foreigners whom they accused of allegedly perpetuating crime.
"We are tired of being chased from one township to the other in Vhembe. South Africans are blaming us for the spate of crimes being committed in most areas.
"This has created animosity between the locals and the foreign nationals, which led to these attacks," said Mark Moyo.
He added: "They came to our area where most of the Zimbabweans live carrying bricks, knives and knobkerries and started attacking us.
The angry mob used any weapon they could lay their hands on." Another Zimbabwean, who refused to be named, said: "Not all foreigners are criminals and most of us are here in South Africa legally. We are law-abiding and making an honest living."
Efforts to contact Zimbabwe's consular-general to South Africa Godfrey Magwenzi were fruitless yesterday. Xenophobia motivated attacks continue to rear their ugly head in South Africa and Zimbabweans, especially in Limpopo and Gauteng provinces have been on the receiving end.
Last year in November, five shops, two houses and two vehicles belonging to Zimbabweans were burnt in Liphalale town in Limpopo province by locals.
In June 2011, hundreds of Zimbabweans living in Seshego Township in Polokwane City were left homeless following similar attacks by a mob, which also stoned to death one of them.
In May 2008, 62 foreigners were brutally killed and thousands others displaced during similar attacks.
The incident occurred on Monday last week at Tswinga village outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo province.
The two Zimbabweans were abducted from their homes and taken to a secluded spot where they were brutally assaulted. One of the victims died instantly while the other died at a hospital due to the injuries sustained from the beatings.
South African police commander for Thohoyandou Cluster, General Nyiketani Baloyi confirmed the incident.
"We received reports of attacks on foreigners during which two Zimbabweans were killed," he said.
"We have taken a decision that this matter be thoroughly investigated. We have since launched an operation to clear the area. What is happening cannot be allowed in South Africa and we will leave no stone unturned and all perpetrators of violence will be brought to book."
Gen Baloyi, however, could not release the names of the victims saying their relatives were yet to be informed.
He said he visited the scene where the two Zimbabweans were killed and described the incident as anarchy that would not be allowed in South Africa.
Zimbabweans living in Vhembe District in Limpopo province have been the subject of ridicule and blame for crime with locals taking it upon themselves to "weed out" foreigners blaming them for "fuelling" crime in the area.
According to witnesses, hundreds of locals moved from one village to another in search of foreigners whom they accused of allegedly perpetuating crime.
"We are tired of being chased from one township to the other in Vhembe. South Africans are blaming us for the spate of crimes being committed in most areas.
"This has created animosity between the locals and the foreign nationals, which led to these attacks," said Mark Moyo.
He added: "They came to our area where most of the Zimbabweans live carrying bricks, knives and knobkerries and started attacking us.
The angry mob used any weapon they could lay their hands on." Another Zimbabwean, who refused to be named, said: "Not all foreigners are criminals and most of us are here in South Africa legally. We are law-abiding and making an honest living."
Efforts to contact Zimbabwe's consular-general to South Africa Godfrey Magwenzi were fruitless yesterday. Xenophobia motivated attacks continue to rear their ugly head in South Africa and Zimbabweans, especially in Limpopo and Gauteng provinces have been on the receiving end.
Last year in November, five shops, two houses and two vehicles belonging to Zimbabweans were burnt in Liphalale town in Limpopo province by locals.
In June 2011, hundreds of Zimbabweans living in Seshego Township in Polokwane City were left homeless following similar attacks by a mob, which also stoned to death one of them.
In May 2008, 62 foreigners were brutally killed and thousands others displaced during similar attacks.
Source - chronicle
