Mmusi condemns violence against Africans from other countries

24 February 2017 - 16:25 By Aphiwe Deklerk
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Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Mmusi Maimane.
Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) Mmusi Maimane.
Image: SIPHIWE SIBEKO / REUTERS

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane has condemned violence directed at foreigners in South Africa.

This comes as more than 1000 people participated in an anti-foreigner march in Pretoria on Friday.

“As a South African‚ a proud African‚ I want to condemn any acts of violence undertaken against nationals from our continent who are not South Africans‚” said Maimane.

  • Over 100 people arrested in Tshwane protestsActing Police Commissioner Lt Gen Khomotso Phahlane said Friday's march by the Mamelodi Concerned Residents grouping had led to over 100 arrests. 

A number of foreign-owned shops were attacked this week in areas such as Atteridgeville‚ Mamelodi and Pretoria West. It follows violence in Rosettenville in Johannesburg where 12 houses were torched. There are rising fears of a fresh wave of xenophobic attacks.

On Friday‚ the streets of Tshwane turned chaotic after people started vandalising shelters of Malawi and Zimbabwe pilgrims who were in town to attend a weekend church service by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri.

  • Arrest SABC journalists' attackers‚ Sanef urges policeThe South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has called on police to investigate and arrest protesters responsible for attacks on SABC journalists and the theft of their cellphones and recording equipment during the march against foreigners in Pretoria on Friday. 

Maimane said it is important for the government to ensure effective policing in troubled areas.

“The anger that South Africans are experiencing ... should be directed to a government that has failed‚” said Maimane.

  • WATCH: Student caught in crossfire as Tshwane unrest escalatesA student was shot with rubber bullets when he got caught in the crossfire between police and protesters during the anti-foreigner march in Pretoria on Friday. 

He said locals should act legally and not use Africans from other countries as scapegoats.

“You can’t simple say the blame must be on foreign nationals when people are without work‚ are without opportunity. It is a flaw of government‚” he said.

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