Zuma cancels Indonesia trip due to xenophobic violence

President Jacob Zuma has cancelled his visit to Indonesia in order to attend to matters at home relating to the attacks on foreign nationals.

“President Zuma was due to  leave for Indonesia this evening 18 April 2015 for a State Visit and to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the commemoration of the historic summit in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955 which brought together Africa and Asia to push forward the struggle for liberation and self-determination,” Presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement on Saturday.

Maharaj added that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will replace the President in Indonesia.

“The President is to lead a stakeholder outreach programme in the country next week. Ministers and Deputy Ministers will also engage South Africans and stakeholders next week in an Imbizo and stakeholder programme leading up to Freedom Day, 27 April.

“The meetings will be focused on strengthening the existing support for peace and peaceful co-existence among all peace loving South Africans while also listening to concerns being raised by some communities.