Pretoria - The South African government has condemned the recent attacks and killing of Somali and other foreign nationals in the country.
"In terms of our Constitution, South Africa belongs to all who live in it, and we, therefore, have been appalled and deeply saddened by the recent acts of violence against Somalis and other foreign nationals in South Africa,” International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said on Friday.
Residents in Diepsloot township near Johannesburg rioted against the Somali community last week, while tensions were also reported in Port Elizabeth.
In Diepsloot, the unrest came after a Somali shop owner allegedly shot dead two Zimbabweans, sparking fears that the attacks might be xenophobic. Police arrested dozens of people in relation to the crime.
Nkoana-Mashabane said the looting, displacement and killing should not be viewed as xenophobic attacks, but opportunistic criminal acts.
She said the attacks had the potential to undermine the unity and cohesiveness of the communities.
“There is no cause to justify this heinous crime. We commend the swift action of the South African Police Service in apprehending about 100 people associated with the recent lawlessness,” said the minister, who recalled the support and solidarity accorded to South Africans during the fight against apartheid by other African people. – SAnews.gov.za
