City steps in to curb xenophobic attacks

ETHEKWINI Municipality will not tolerate attacks against foreign nationals. That’s the stand the city has taken in a strongly worded media release sent out today. The city warned those involved criminal acts of violence would face the full might of the law.

The city said it unequivocally condemned attacks on foreign nations.

City Manager Sibusiso Sithole met with those representing foreign nationals in the City and various other stakeholders on Thursday, 9 April, following a spate of violent attacks against foreign nationals across the city in recent weeks.

The purpose of the meeting was to formulate collective strategies to address the problem.

With regards to the anti-xenophobia march that took place in the City on Wednesday, 8 April, where violence broke out between foreign nationals, locals and police, Sithole said the city had not issued permission for the march to take place because it had anticipated foreigners would be attacked.

“This is what prompted us not to allow the march to go ahead. A letter was sent to the march organisers citing our concerns. A permit was never issued for the march to take place. We apologise for inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the march but our concerns were genuine,” said Sithole.

He said it was not council police to refuse people permission to march.

“Not allowing the march to proceed does not mean the City condones attacks on foreign nationals. We condemn it unequivocally. Violence can never be used to solve issues,” he said, adding that it was the municipality’s primary objective to protect and support foreign nationals in every way possible.

The provincial government together with the City is also planning a march with foreign nationals, religious groups, non-government organisations and civil society.
“Our priority is to reintegrate displaced foreign nationals back into their communities. A plan of action is in place because we don’t believe that housing people in tents is the solution. Everyone in the City has the right to employment and to participate fully in society provided they have relevant documentation from Home Affairs,” said Sithole.

He said the march would form part of awareness campaigns and multi-lateral interventions to deal with tensions between locals and foreign nationals.
“We want the march to be inclusive, not a march by foreign nationals marching against government. We want the march to be led by our Premier, MECs, the Mayor, members of civil society and citizens of the country. We want to collectively voice our anger and repulsion,” he said.

Sithole also urged police to do everything possible to apprehend those responsible for the attacks on foreign nationals
“We condemn this action perpetrated by a few among us. We want to see police arresting criminals who have committed these acts of violence. We can’t say wholeheartedly that what is happening are purely xenophobic attacks. These are criminal acts and the perpetrators will be brought to book,” he said.

Sithole urged foreign nationals to work with government and the city to form a coalition against xenophobia. “This coalition will help fight the scourge of attacks on foreign nationals not for now only, but for the future as well.”

The initiative has been supported by all foreign national organisations and stakeholders.
The date for the march will be announced once all logistics have been finalised.