The failure of the South Africa government to promptly put a stop to the xenophobic attacks has really embolden the perpetrators with the Mamelodi Concerned Residents organizing a protest march to the Department of Home Affairs today, to demand for expulsion of foreign nationals.
President Jacob Zuma finally issue a statement today condemnation the attack on foreigners after many days of killings and looting of properties.
“Many citizens of other countries living in South Africa are law abiding and contribute to the economy of the country positively. It is wrong to brandish all non-nationals as drug dealers or human traffickers,” Zuma said in a statement.
“The threats and counter-threats on social media must stop,” he added.
Anti-immigrant violence has flared sporadically following near-record levels of unemployment, with foreigners being accused of taking jobs from citizens and getting involved in crime.
A march against foreign nationals is currently underway in the capital, Pretoria and the police are in the middle of a standoff between residents and a group of foreigners. Residents have been protesting against foreigners after a week of attacks on migrants. The two groups are armed with sticks, bricks and knives.
Police have used tactics including a low-flying helicopter to keep the sides apart.
Meanwhile in Nigeria, a protest led by the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS went to the offices of South African firms in Nigeria-MTN and DSTV-to vent their anger over the wanton killing and destruction of properties of Nigerians in their country.
