ZEF Raises Alarm Over Reccurence of Xenophobic Attacks

21 October 2010

 The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) is extremely concerned about the recurrence

of xenophobic attacks last night in Itireleng Municipality and in particular

Laudium, west of Pretoria. Mainly Zimbabweans in Alexandra (Johannesburg),

Mamelodi and Atteridgeville (Pretoria) have received notices warning them to

leave these areas by tomorrow, Saturday.

ZEF has on several occasions called upon the South African government to

engage civil society and to find long term intervention measures to deal

with this scourge. Unfortunately, the culture of impunity associatated with

attacks on foreigners means that prejudice continues to take root in South

African society. Last night, dozens of foreigners were forcibly displaced

from their homes, with shops belonging to mainly Somalis ransacked and

smashed. An 8 month pregnant woman was one of the victims that the police

through their much appreciated quick intervention have rescued from a night

in the bush, where many had hidden, to provide shelter at a community hall.

The police's strong presence in the area is much appreciated.

Xenophobic attacks at this juncture owe a lot to irresponsible political

statements by people in political parties; elements of the business

community that fear competition; inflammatory reportage by the media and the

culture of impunity associated with this hate crime. ZEF also believes that

the resumption of deportations is unfortunate, as it fuel xenophobia due to

the alarming numbers already deported last week. 118 Zimbabweans were

deported from Beitbridge on Wednesday and Thursday, while about 600 were

deported last week. If these are not mass deportations contrary to the

assurances previously given by the South African government, then we don't

know what is. Of worrying concern is also the fact that in spite of 2 court

orders in favour of Lawyers for Human Rights, the police have continued to

act in contempt of court by deporting Zimbabweans from Beitbridge, a role

that should have been left to Home Affairs.

ZEF reiterates that it is ill-advised and premature to resume forcible

returns to Zimbabwe as the political situation in that country remains

precarious and fragile before the next elections. Instead of focusing on

cyclical deportations, the organisation hopes that the South African

government will assist the over 4 million in exile to reclaim their

franchise and be able to vote from host countries. ZEF Executive Director,

Gabriel Shumba today said "Once a free and democratic Zimbabwe has been

realised, millions will be keen to go back to their motherland."

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum calls upon the South African government to immediately

convene a meeting of stakeholders that can come up with a concerted approach

to the problem of intolerance in this country.

Mr Shumba added, "We hope that this meeting will include the 2 co-Ministers

of Home Affairs from Zimbabwe, who have been deafeningly silent on this

issue. In addition, we wish to put it on record that most Zimbabweans

staying in Rural Development Programme houses have not obtained them

fraudulently, but are paying rent to absentee landlords. It should also be

noted that those who actually own the houses are South African citizens

originally from Zimbabwe. They obtained citizenship either because they are

spouses or because they have sufficiently stayed in SA to qualify for such

citizenship. "

For more information contact:

--

Gabriel Shumba

Zimbabwe Exiles Forum

Exec Director and Human Rights Lawyer

Kutlwanong Democracy Centre

357 Visagie Street

Pretoria 0001

South Africa

Mobile: +27 72 6393 795

Tel:      +27 12 320 8469

Fax:     +27 12 320 8158

Alternate email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.zimexilesforum.org