Maravi

BREAKING: SA police arrest three over xenophobic attacks
November 25, 2013 Costa Mano Headlines, Top Stories
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

Some of the remains of property belonging to Zimbabweans that was burnt by a mob of South Africans in xenophobia motivated attacks last Thursday night.

South African police have arrested three men who are believed to be the masterminds of the xenophobic attacks which saw a mob of natives burning five shops, two houses and two vehicles belonging to Zimbabweans on Thursday night in Liphalale town under Limpopo Province.

Among the vehicles that were burnt were a Ford Bantam and a Nissan pick-up belonging to a Zimbabwean businessman.

Sources from Liphalale today said the trio is also linked to the disturbances in Maropong suburb between April and May this year. Tensions had been high since April 16 when a number of Zimbabweans living in the area were attacked by South Africans.

The volatile situation in Liphalale has forced Zimbabweans living in that area to form a committee to engage the local community and policy makers on the repeated attacks.

The committee’s organising secretary Mr Jefta Mararike, who is also a victim of the attacks, said in a telephone interview today that the trio was arrested on Friday morning.

He said the situation had slightly improved following the deployment of police officers to the suburb.

“The police have arrested three men who were leading the mob in both incidents (May and last Thursday). They took action at the intervention of the Zimbabwe consulate. The police have indicated to us that the suspects will appear in court this week and we hope to see justice prevailing,” he said.

“The situation is improving slightly though most of us are still skeptical about the way the police are handling the issues. They gave us assurances that they will be a heavy presence of police details but we are only seeing very few on the ground”

He said many Zimbabweans living in the area had relocated to other towns, while others have adopted a wait and see attitude.

Liphalale police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mokoena who last week refused to answer questions from The Herald could not be reached for comment. In May, five shops belonging to Zimbabweans were razed down to ashes by a mob in Marapong suburb in the same town.

It has since been established that the Liphalale Business Forum which operates small to medium enterprises is behind the onslaught on Zimbabweans whom they accuse of putting them out of business and of fanning crime in the area.

Zimbabwe’s Consular General to South Africa Mr Godfrey Magwenzi, who last week visited the area with South African police, said in a telephone interview that he will issue a statement later.

Zimbabweans living in South Africa, especially Limpopo and Gauteng provinces have been on the receiving end of xenophobia motivated attacks.

Labels: SOUTH AFRICA, THIRD FORCE, XENOPHOBIA

posted by MrK @ 1:38 AM