Tag Archives: Xenophobic attacks

District News, SADC

During xenophobic attacks, Mutharika receives letters of credence from the new High Commissioner of SA

Maravi Post Reporter
President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika and South Africa ambassador Prince Ahlangene Cyprian Sigcawu at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe

While the wounds of the xenophobic attacks are still fresh, President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika Thursday received letters of credence from the new High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Malawi, His Excellency Prince Ahlangene Cyprian Sigcawu at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

About 75 of the Malawians displaced by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa were returned home. Malawi’s government repatriated them, after they spent weeks at a guarded camp in Johannesburg.  Some say they will never go back to South Africa.  Others are not so sure.

The Malawi Red Cross Society, which provided temporary shelters for the repatriated victims, says it will continue to assist them as they reintegrate into Malawian society.

Human Rights, SADC, Top News

Malawi’s Xenophobia victims return home

Maravi Post Reporter
LILONGWE-(Maraviost)-The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has joined hands with Malawi’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to begin repatriating Malawians affected by recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Spokesperson for the Ministry, Rejoice Shumba, told Zodiak Online that the exercise begins on Wednesday with 35 people of a total of 105 who are willing to come back home.

According to Shumba, about 300 Malawians have been displaced by the xenophobic violence.

Said Shumba; “the IOM will start repatriating 35 people and afterwards they are going to communicate what they are going to do next.”

The Malawi Civil Society Led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM) however on Tuesday condemned the fresh wave of attacks on foreigners in South Africa, describing it as barbaric.

Speaking to journalists in the capital Lilongwe, MaBLEM Chairperson, Robert Mkwezalamba, said the xenophobic attacks have been propelled by South African President Cyril Rhamaphosa who called for a clamp down on illegal settlers and entrepreneurs.

The group wants President Rhamaphosa to publicly apologize in 2 weeks, failure which they will drag him to court.

“We condemn the attacks in strongest terms, they are not welcome in a democratic society more importantly in SADC which has endorsed numerous protocols, local and international in terms of how people are going to establish themselves at any level of society,” Mkwezalamba said.

MaBLEM has since called SADC Heads of Government to convene an emergency meeting to address xenophobic attacks in the rainbow nation.

The group also wants the government of Malawi to start a process of documenting all its citizen in South Africa and that the government of South Africa should provide financial support to all Malawians wishing to return home.

Hundreds of thousands of Malawians migrate to South Africa in search of greener pasture.

In 2015, about 420 Malawians were attacked in xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

This is the third time the world has witnessed attacks on foreigners in South Africa, first in 2008 and then 2015.

Human Rights, SADC, Top News

Xenophobic attacks spark South African response

Maravi Post Reporter

South Africa’s foreign minister Lindiwe Sisulu

By Grace Dzuwa

 

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa’s foreign minister Lindiwe Sisulu  has called an urgent meeting with ambassadors following attacks against foreigners in Durban.

Early on Monday morning three people died amid protests targeting shops, many of which are foreign-owned.

According to BBC,  Lindiwe Sisulu says attacks on foreign-owned  should not be tolerated

Around 50 people sought shelter at a police station when a group of unemployed South Africans forced them out of their homes in the night.

 

Foreigners are targeted by people who accuse them of taking jobs from locals.

 

About 100 people attacked small food shops on Sunday night and into Monday morning, looting and burning the buildings.

 

One woman died when she fell through a roof while she was running away from protesters.

 

Another two people died from gunshot wounds, allegedly inflicted by a shopkeeper.

 

On Tuesday foreigners started seeking shelter in a mosque and a police station.

 

The minister of international relations and co-operation, Lindiwe Sisulu, urged the police to act against people targeting foreigners.

 

“All criminal activities and looting of properties of foreign nationals will not be tolerated‚ and the police and other law-enforcement agencies must act without fear or favour,” she said in a statement.

 

She has organised a meeting with African diplomats on Monday.

 

Some people complain about foreigners working in South Africa where unemployment is painfully high – standing at more than 27% at the end of last year.

 

Xenophobia against migrants from other African countries is not new in South Africa.

 

In 2015 unrest in the cities of Johannesburg and Durban claimed seven lives as immigrants were hunted down and attacked by gangs.

 

South Africa experienced its worst outbreak of violence against foreigners in 2008, when more than 60 people died.