Maravi

NGOCC calls for end to xenophobic attacks in S/Africa

NGOCC calls for end to xenophobic attacks in S/Africa
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Friday May 23, 2008 [04:00]

THE women movement in Zambia has expressed concern at the turn of events in South Africa where a Zambian family living there had their property damaged in the continued xenophobic attacks. Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) executive director Engwase Mwale called for urgent interventions into the killings of innocent foreigners.

Mwale said as the women movement, NGOCC were grieving for the suffering minority in South Africa, more so the emotional and physical pain being inflicted especially on women and children.

She called on all the regional groupings to rise to the challenge to restore harmony in that country.

Mwale said South Africa was a historical success in as far as restoring human dignity was concerned, considering the levels of past apartheid experiences.

“We can only pray that the people shall no longer take this dignity and peace for granted. We all need each other as a region. And on the attacks on women, as in the case of the Zambian family, it does not give hope to liberating mother Africa,” Mwale said.

A Zambian living in South Africa was this week caught up in the continued attacks in that country after her house was damaged in Johannesburg.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Leslie Mbula, said he had received complaints from two Zambian women staying in South Africa even though one of them did not have any property damaged.

And according to ZANIS, at least five Mozambican nationals are among the dead in the growing xenophobic violence. Revealing this in Mozambique Parliament on Wednesday, deputy Speaker Lidia Geremias said 70 others had lost possessions in the attacks in South Africa.

And 12 Malawian nationals have sought refuge in Zimbabwe after fleeing the attacks. According to Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Oliver Mandipaka, the Malawians were given temporary sanctuary in Zimbabwe before being assisted to go to their country.

A wave of xenophobic attacks spread through South African townships on Monday and mobs beat foreigners and set some ablaze in scenes reminiscent of the apartheid era violence.

Two people were killed and more than two dozen shacks were torched in the Thembisa township near Johannesburg and Police, struggling to restore order, said at least 22 people were killed over the weekend.
Immigrants from African neighbours are accused by many in the townships, among South Africa’s poorest areas, of taking jobs and fuelling the high rate of violent crime.

Labels: NGOCC, SOUTH AFRICA, XENOPHOBIA

posted by MrK @ 4:17 AM