Welshman Ncube tears into in law Zuma

MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube yesterday laid into South African President Jacob Zuma for blaming xenophobic attacks on neighbouring countries, saying his stance might be construed by perpetrators as justifying the xenophobic attacks.

Prof Ncube, who is related to Zuma through his son, Wesley, who is married to the South African leader's daughter, Gugulethu.

Zuma's comments could be used by South African mobs as a "pretext for continued violence".

He said: "As much as we have a problem that is alleged to be xenophobic, our sister countries contribute to this. Why are their citizens not in their countries and are in South Africa?"

Prof Ncube, in a statement yesterday, said Mr Zuma's utterances were in bad taste and their timing was wrong. He said nothing else was more important than saving the lives of potential victims.

The MDC president said South Africa needs to reflect on its trade policies and its commitment to Sadc's industrialisation as the region continues to suffer huge trade deficits against South Africa.