South African President Wants End To Xenophobic Attacks

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South African President Wants End To Xenophobic Attacks


South African President Jacob Zuma yesterday called for calm to the recent wave of anti-immigrant violence.
Zuma responded after the Xenophobic violence spread in the Southern African country.
South African President Wants End To Xenophobic Attacks
Members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) try to control a protester after clashes broke out between a group of locals and police in Durban
Yesterday in Durban, Thousands took to the street and marched against the attacks.
Zuma had asked for an end to the attacks which has seen no less than six people dead and properties looted.
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In the past two weeks, shops and homes owned by Somalis, Ethiopians, Malawians and other immigrants in Durban and surrounding townships have been targeted, forcing families to flee to camps protected by armed guards.
“We have witnessed shocking and unacceptable incidents of violence directed at foreign nationals,” Zuma told parliament in Cape Town.
“No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops.
“We appeal for calm, an end to the violence, and restraint.
“The police have been directed to work round the clock to protect both foreign nationals and citizens and to arrest looters.”
READ ALSO: Thousands March Against Xenophobia In SA
The protesters during their march had  chanted “Down with xenophobia!” and “A United Africa” at an event attended by residents, students and local religious and political leaders.
The police have vowed to have the violence under control but on Monday a 14 year old boy was killed in KwaMashu, a township north of Durban.
“There are tensions in various parts of the country between some locals and foreign nationals (but) lawlessness will not be tolerated,” National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega said in a statement.
The reason behind the xenophobic is the frustration over lack of opportunities for many young blacks 21 years after the end of apartheid in 1994.
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South Africa’s economic growth was just 1.5 percent last year and unemployment is at around 25 percent — soaring to over 50 percent among the young.
These recent surge in violence in South Africa has unemployed locals accusing foreigners of taking their jobs.
Only in 2008, 62 people were murdered during xenophobic violence in Johannesburg townships.
One of the marchers in Durban, Eric Machi, 34, said he rented rooms to Zimbabweans and Malawians until they fled from attackers in recent weeks.
“We are trying to make peace with those people who came here from Africa, but now they are gone,” he said.
“It started late at night. The attackers were shouting and throwing stones, and breaking some houses.”
Zuma told parliament he wanted to address the root cause of the attacks — including illegal immigration and accusations that many migrants are criminals.
“We wish to emphasise that while some foreign nationals have been arrested for various crimes, it is misleading and wrong to label or regard all foreign nationals as being involved in crime,” he said.
“Many (immigrants) bring skills that are scarce that help us to develop the economy and are most welcome to live our country.
Nigerians base in South africa have cried out about the Xenophobic attacks, They have cried out for help from the Nigerian government.


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