Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is to host consultative meetings with stakeholders to discuss the country’s migration policy and how various sectors can work with government to promote orderly migration and good relations between citizens and other nationals.
“Foreign nationals have for years been successfully integrated into many communities in the country and government seeks to gain lessons from these successes,” the Presidency said on Monday.
According to the Presidency, the President intends to build lasting partnerships with stakeholders in the country to ensure that the shameful attacks on foreign nationals do not recur in the country.
The engagements will also take into account the concerns raised by citizens about the implementation of the migration policy.
However, President Jacob Zuma has also emphasised that while understanding the grievances raised by some citizens, none justify the taking of human life as well as the destruction and looting of shops belonging to foreign nationals.
“No grievance can ever justify the cold-blooded murder of fellow human beings, the destruction of property or the displacement of hundreds of people including women and small children.
“Millions of South Africans condemn these atrocious killings and abhor xenophobia and all related intolerances. Together we must work harder to root out violence and hatred in our society,’’ President Zuma said.
Seven people were killed last week, three South Africans and four foreign nationals in a week that has caused untold pain to thousands in the country, Africa and the world.
The President will on Wednesday meet with representatives of faith-based organisations, business, labour, youth, creative industries, women, sports, social development sector and others.
He will also this week meet with leaders of organisations representing asylum seekers and refugees as well as the media.
Ministerial task team
The President had established a Ministerial task team to quell the violence and to bring the situation to normality in areas that were affected by violence against foreign nationals.
The team comprised ministers from the Justice Peace Crime Prevention and Security Cluster assisted by the Ministers of Small Business Development, Trade and Industry and Social Development.
“The Ministers have done well in stabilising the situation and in spreading the message that South Africa will not tolerate violence and in promoting peaceful coexistence.
“However, the challenge of migration requires a long-term solution. In this regard, I have established an Inter-Ministerial Committee to work systematically, looking at all aspects of migration,” said the President.
The members of the IMC are:
- Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (The Presidency), Jeff Radebe, as chairperson;
- Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba;
- Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Pravin Gordhan;
- Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Maite Nkoana-Mashabane;
- Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula;
- Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini;
- Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi;
- Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga;
- Minister of Police, Nathi Nhleko;
- Minister of State Security, David Mahlobo; and
- Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Michael Masutha.
The President has reiterated his call for citizens and relief organisations to provide support to displaced people to alleviate the hardship. – SAnews.gov.za
