De Freitas blames xenophobia on government
'Government is responsible for the xenophobic violence, and they can turn it around!'
DA Shadow Minister of Transport Manny de Freitas made a no-holds-barred statement on who exactly is to blame for the violent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals.
The world has been abuzz about the upsurge in various parts of the country after people were attacked and some even killed.
De Freitas said: “Foreigners come into our country and appear to thrive economically, because of their knowledge, education and skills advantage. The poor unemployed South African sees this, and from his or her perspective cannot understand how this is possible when he or she cannot develop in his or her own country.”
He added that some of these attacks were incited by the actions of the government in parliament and also the controversial comment by King Zwelithini.
“So over a week after this violence erupted, government makes official public statements in this regard. The President used his answer to question a parliamentary session as an opportunity to address this issue. In itself this was a good thing, however what came out of this emerged as a lost opportunity for the President. His address on this issue came across as insincere and emotionless; President Zuma’s body language reflected this too. The President mentioned nothing about statements made by the King in Kwazulu-Natal and, even closer to home, xenophobic comments made by Edward Zuma, son of the President,” continued De Freitas. Go to www.comarochronicle.co.za to read the full statement by Manny de Freitas.
Meanwhile, President Jacob Zuma gave a public response in parliament on April 16, stating that the frustration or anger expressed by those involved in xenophobic attacks does not justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of foreign owned shops. He also promoted social cohesion and a peaceful existence in the country.
