Zim businessmen in SA appeal for donations to help victims of xenophobic attacks

Harare - An organisation of Zimbabwean businessmen in South Africa appealed on Friday for donations of blankets, nappies, food and cooking utensils to help hundreds of Zimbabweans caught up in xenophobic attacks in and around Durban, News24 Reported on Friday.

"Many of the families left their homes with only the clothes on their backs," the Zimbabwe Business Network said in a statement, claiming that the situation of displaced Zimbabweans was "worse than is being reported in the media".

"They are in desperate need of food, supplies and assistance of any kind to allow them to transition through this heart-wrenching time," the group said in a statement.

"Many are still unsure where to go and are sleeping in open fields and pavements without any shelter or blankets," the statement added.
The network appealed for donations of tinned food, fruit, vegetables and other goods to be taken to the Zimbabwean consulate in Johannesburg.

Consular and embassy officials have travelled to Durban and are trying to help the displaced.
Zimbabwe is preparing to repatriate at least 1 000 of its nationals from Durban on Sunday.

At least two Zimbabweans are believed to have been killed in the violence.

"The situation is truly heart-breaking and the business community needs to act," the statement said.