Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has called for a full investigation and institution of justice for perpetrators of the latest xenophobic attacks which have been occurring in South Africa.
In a statement released today the organisation said the resurgence of xenophobia in SA defeats the spirit of the Constitutive Act of the African Union which encourages greater unity and solidarity.
“We urge the government of South Africa to instill a sense of security for black Africans and other nationals living in South Africa and uphold domestic, regional and international obligations”.
“(We) call upon the Government of the Republic of South Africa to immediately stop the attacks on foreign nationals in the country, and put measures in place to ensure that this does not recur in future”
“Fully investigate the circumstances leading to the xenophobic attacks and other acts of violence perpetrated against foreign nationals”
“Ensure that all the perpetrators of the attacks are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions in accordance with the law”, it said.
The civil society organisation said the arising of such situations is a direct result of a weak democratic culture.
“We are of the view that instability in many African countries, a direct consequence of weak democratic culture, is at the heart of the forced migration many Africans have to take in order to escape persecution, poverty and lack of opportunity”.
“Hence, we continue to plead with African governments to be more democratic and responsive so that citizens can meaningfully contribute to their own development, in their own countries”
“Aspirations of regional and continental integration can only be met if we are all moving together in one direction”
“We urge South African authorities to shun issuing xenophobic sentiments. We urge them to urgently deploy adequate resources and put in place measures aimed at protecting human life, regardless of nationality”, it added.
Xenophobic attacks have been ongoing in Pretoria and Johannesburg barely six years after such barbarous acts were witnessed in the same country again.
So far a number of people have been killed with social media awash with gruesome images of individuals meteing inhumane acts such as burning and stoning foreigners.
These acts have led to reprisals in other countries with some in Nigeria vowing to mete out the same punishments on South Africans resident in the West African state.
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