Tuesday 21 April 2015

23 Tanzanians at safety camp seeking shelter from xenophobic attacks in SA.

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INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Bernard Membe addresses press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday on the impact of xenophobic violence in South Africa on Tanzanians living there. He said not a single Tanzania has been killed in the attacks, adding however that those trapped in cities hit by the violence would be flown back home. (Photo: Khalfan Said)
Twenty three Tanzanians are being sheltered from xenophobic attacks by South Africans against foreigners at Isipingo camp in Durban, South Africa.
 
 Two Tanzanians among them had refused to be repatriated, the government has confirmed.
 
The Tanzania’s decision to evacuate them follows the ongoing anti-immigrants violence against foreigners in South Africa.
 
 “There are twenty three Tanzanians at the camp in Durban…we are finalising arrangements to bring them back home although two have insisted to continue staying in SA,” said the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benard Membe when speaking to newsmen in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
 
The Minister however noted that there are more than ten thousand Tanzanians residing in Durban and Johannesburg where there are xenophobic attacks.   “We don’t have the exact number of Tanzanians living in SA as most of them go there through illegal routes”, he said.
 
 Membe explained on the death of three Tanzanians in South Africa insisting that the deaths were not linked with the xenophobic attacks. “It is true that there are Tanzanians who have died in SA…but according to the country’s Minister for State Security, David Mahlobo their names are not on the list of people killed during the anti-immigrant violence that erupted last week.
 
According to him, the first person, Ali Heshima Mohamed died as he was undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Johannesburg. He said Mohamed was suffering from Tuberculosis (TB) and that his body was flown back last Sunday.
 
He said that Rashid Jumanne died at a town located some 90 kilometres from Durban. He said that Jumanne died while held by the police following a robbery incident.
 
The third person, Athumani China alias Mapepe was stabbed to death by his fellow inmates in one of the prisons in Johannesburg. He said that China was jailed because he was involved in criminal incidences.
 
He said that official from Tanzania and those in SA are now conducting an evaluation on the damage of properties  such as shops, offices and structures that belong to Tanzanian businessmen that had been set on fire.
 
“Our officers are there, the evaluation exercise is going on. We shall see the possibility of compensating them as they will be free to decided on whether to stay home or return to SA,” said Membe. 
 
He advised Tanzanians living SA and those in other countries to make sure they officially register themselves at the Tanzanian embassies. He said once registered a person can be easily traced and even assisted.  
 
The Minister noted that the situation in Johannesburg had  stabilised in the past 48 hours. He said the governments of Tanzania and South Africa and leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have all condemned the attacks.
 
 At least eight people from different nationals have died in the anti-immigrant violence that occurred last week.
 
The anti-foreigner protests erupted in the city of Durban and later moved to Johannesburg with South Africans attacking and looting businesses and shops owned by foreign nationals. South African are accusing people from other nationals of taking their jobs  opportunities.
 
SA authorities said  last Sunday in Johannesburg that 307 suspects had been arrested for a range of xenophobic-related crimes. 
 
Security agencies had also increased the police presence on the ground.
 
 In the same vein,President  Jacob Zuma  last week  cancelled his state visit to Indonesia in order to attend to matters relating to attacks on foreign nationals.
 
President Zuma was due to leave for Indonesia   last Saturday for a state visit and to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the commemoration of the 1955 Bandung summit, which brought together Africa and Asia to push forward the struggle for liberation and self-determination.
 
The President  Zuma was expected to  lead a stakeholder outreach programme to address attacks on foreign nationals. The President  was  also expected  to visit displaced foreign nationals in Chatsworth, Durban. 
 
The meetings was expected to focus 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 communities.
 
The President has condemned the attacks on foreign nationals and urged the police to continue working around the clock to protect communities and bring perpetrators to book.
 
The President has thanked the South African public and media for coming out against xenophobia and the attacks on foreign nationals in various parts of the country in many campaigns.
 
He also thanked the international community, including the African Union and the United Nations, for support during this difficult period in the country.
 
"We reiterate our message that there can be no justification for the attacks on foreign nationals. These attacks go against everything we believe in’’.
 
"The majority of South Africans love, peace and good relations with their brothers and sisters in the continent. We will engage stakeholders next week as we need all leaders to work together to bring the situation to normality. Working together, we will be able to overcome this challenge," said the President.
 
The South African Embassy to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has extended its condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives due to violent attacks directed at foreign nationals.
 
The embassy has also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
 
"During the past week, we have witnessed shocking and unacceptable incidents of violence directed at foreign nationals in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal, which have now spread to some parts of Gauteng. Similar incidents had taken place in Soweto in January.
 
"We wish to extend our condolences to the families of all who have lost their lives and wish the injured a speedy recovery. No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops’’.
 
"We condemn the violence in the strongest possible terms. The attacks violate all the values that South Africa embodies, especially the respect for human life, human rights, human dignity and ubuntu," the embassy said in a statement.
 
The embassy said South Africa will continue to play its role and fulfil its responsibilities and obligations as a member of the African Union family. It urged for the responsible use of social media during this difficult time.
 
"We wish to also urge those who use social media to refrain from fanning the flames of violence on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. We all have a responsibility to promote social cohesion, peaceful co-existence and good relations on the continent," it said.
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