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)
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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