Pretoria, May 27, ZANIS - The violence against foreign nationals that have wracked South Africa for the past fortnight is under control, said Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula on Monday.
"I do believe the situation is under control ... the violence has subsided," said Minister Nqakula at a briefing at the Union Buildings, following an inter-governmental task team meeting with President Thabo Mbeki.
The team, which was established shortly after violent attacks erupted in Johannesburg's Alexandra township, briefed President Mbeki on progress made following the attacks as well as to deal with welfare issues resulting from the attacks.
Referring to statistics, Mr Nqakula said to date 1 384 suspects have been arrested for their involvement in the violence and robberies, in which 342 shops belonging to foreign nationals across the country had been looted while 213 had been burnt down.
The death toll following the attacks stood at 56.
"To date 1 384 suspects have been arrested. Many of them were involved in violence and robbery," he said.
Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils, who was present at the briefing, said that just because the situation was under control did not mean sporadic attacks could not still take place.
Should this happen government would respond accordingly, Mr Kasrils said.
The intelligence services are also working around the clock to establish the cause of the recent attacks on foreign nationals.
In the last few weeks, the violence has impacted severely on schooling.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, while things are gradually getting back to normal, there was a high absenteeism rate reported - as both teachers and pupils continue to stay away.
"In Alexandra it affected schooling for two weeks, but when the attacks spread to Reiger Park, the situation became worse; the attacks took place during the day and learners were caught up in the crossfire," Department spokesperson, Panyaza Lesufi said.
According to reports, about 25 000 Zimbabweans were expected to head for Zambia as they fled the violence, while at least 5 500 had received assistance to reach Mozambique.
In Pretoria over 800 people, including children, were given shelter after they camped outside the UN High Commission for Refugees following the looting of their homes and shops.
According to the UNHCR, the majority were documented refugees and asylum seekers from Somalia, Rwanda, Malawi, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo who lost their belongings in the violence in Mpumalanga and northern Gauteng.
In Cape Town, the municipality is continuing to accommodate people who have fled from the violence in six temporary safety sites around the metro region, as well as in many community halls across the city.
“We have carried out this operation in terms of our disaster relief function as a local government, which is to return stability to our communities, protect the safety of people threatened by violence, and address humanitarian needs,” the City’s Mayor Helen Zille said in a statement.
Following this operation, she said the municipality would support the re-integration of people who wished to return to their homes in Cape Town.
“We will also support efforts to return those displaced foreign nationals who wish to return to their home countries,” she said, adding that the process of re-integrating displaced people into their communities will require a peace-keeping force to be deployed to the most sensitive hot-spots around the city.
Meanwhile, the Director General in the Presidency, Reverend Frank Chikane, has called on communities to rekindle the spirit of ubuntu.
Addressing the Presidency staff during the annual Africa Day celebration event, Rev Chikane condemned the recent spate of attacks.
In his address, the DG encouraged staff to work hand-in-hand with communities to stem the tide of hate-inspired attacks on foreigners.
The DG encouraged staff and all South Africans to use their expertise and knowledge to assist people in the townships claim their rights in a peaceful and democratic manner.
Rev Chikane also encouraged all South Africans to lend a helping hand to those who survived the attacks of the past two weeks.
He said these heinous crimes were committed by a minority of South Africans, and expressed regret at the fact that the actions of a few, were impacting negatively on the integrity of all South Africans.
This speech to the Presidency staff comes in the wake of the President’s address to the nation on Sunday in which Mr Mbeki vociferously condemned the recent attacks on foreign nationals.
Warning of a return to the country's violent past in its struggle against apartheid, President Mbeki said the unrest had damaged the image of the country while branding the violence as an "absolute disgrace".
"Never since the birth of our democracy have we witnessed such callousness. We must view the events of the past two weeks as an absolute disgrace," President Mbeki said.
[BuaNews]
A little too late dont you think
Thats how one million people pershed in Rwanda why addressing the issue when over 50 are dead.African leaders are a disgrace.
Thats how one million people perished in Rwanda why addressing the issue when over 50 are already dead.African leaders are a disgrace.Thabo wake up *****.
This is no fault of Thabo Mbeki alone.Its the fault of all Southern African State leaders.How can a small small dot on the planet like Mugabe be allowed to dent Africa in such a way ? All this killing could have been avoided if the fellow African leaders were courageous enough to challenge this stupid and *****ic person called Mugabe.He is really a disgrace to all of us Africans who love our land.All the other Southern Africa Leaders are too lazy ,corrupt and ignorant to see through all these unwarranted deeds of Mugabe. When are you ever going to serve the purpose of being true leaders?What are your fears in Mugabe ?What are your secrets that you don’t want Mugabe to disclose ? Surely you must be hiding something from the African people.All of you leaders in SADDAC are cowards and a disgrace to all of Africa.Wake up and correct the situation before it turns out to be another Rwanda ,Darfur and Ivory coast.I wonder what SADDAC is there for.What was the purpose of your meeting ? Was it for you to make pocket money and eat chicken only or what ? I had expected you to expell this stupid tyrant from your organisation, full stop.It makes sad reading and seeing all those pictures of people being burnt to death and the locals laughing off the whole situation as if it was’nt a matter of life and death.My warnig to you all leaders is ‘””Remember that one day you will no longer be a President and Charges of Genocide Will Catchup with you””.You are just a man like us and the Living God that we pray will punish you to the bone, Amen.
Not even one charged when the pictures of the culprits are clearly available everywhere?
If they had killed my relative I was going to take care of one of them at Game, Shoprite etc.. in Zed too, eye for an eye, simple!
For you South Africans I say think before you act.Don’t do things you will later regret.We in other countries have accommodated you well without violence, even to the extent of sacrifising our own brothers and sisters when you were fighting for your independence.You should remember the good teaching of the bible that one good turn deserves another.Stop all this sensiless killing of fellow humans.The bad things you are doing will one day be done to you.What goes around comes around.Cowards.
And still silence from Mugabe, he forced these people to flee to RSA and now they are on their way to Zambia, shuld we not compel Sekuru Mugabe to take care of his “lost children’ now forced to wander about? I would be very interested to hear what KK says, he always said we were not to readily demonise Mugabe. Is Mugabe ready to welcome his people back home or is it good riddance to those who in any case would not vote for him?
I hope Morgan is taking note of events, not that he one day turns round and start calling us names, we are about to save his people yet again, we will even protect them from the white farmers they had hounded out of zimb.
It’s not a stretch to infer that the legendary efficiency and warmth of the South Africa Department of Home Affairs is a product of the attitudes on display in the townships.
My emigration agents closed down their immigration division because it was basically impossible to get a foreigner into the country within a practical timeframe, and the staff were subject to so much abuse and frustration from the lackadaisical scum employed by the state that the agency’s staff turnaround was getting out of hand.Rainbow Nation indeed!
#4 Being a land-locked country Zambia is very careful how it handles issues concerning neighbouring countries, as for Mugabe, he would have no qualms about banning our goods passing thru his country, ask Mutati, he is scared stiff our industries would be paralised. Unfortunately, africans do not intefere into each others countries that is why people are dying everyday in places like Chad and Sudan. However, I think LPM handled the issue of Mugabe well though I do agree he and others could have been a bit more tougher with uncle bob, he is a stubborn old man on the brink oblivion though.
#1 Yes plain too late! So much for Ubuntu! XENOCIDE!!!
Are those culprits arrested going to stay in prison forever?
just praying that FIFA moves the world cup to another country.
South Africa has been a disappointment as far as security and crime are concerned. More so after undergoing a liberation that was fought for for years. It paints a bad picture on our readiness as black people to govern and to be governed. The spirit of rebellion and anti-social present among the South African youths is unacceptable and needs to be addressed vigorously both with the Word of God and education. It is a shame to carry out cold blood murders with no remorse of any kind. Africa, it must be borne by these people, sacrificed dearly for RSA’s struggle and there must be respect for life of those that helped RSA’s freedom. The govt must do a lot or risk losing respect too.
# 12, I agree with you. Let us give it to Morocco who have sought for it for years. It will be a good lesson for RSA.
I wounder why the truth is always kept secret even when things are showing. What am saying in short is that the attacks fellow country men and women have spreed from Gautne Province to Western Cape, to be more specific(Somerset West). We can nolonger move a distance of 1km without meeting the so called South Africans who will call you all sorts of names like “Mukwerekwe”, this really hates me and I just can not figure out what will happen in 2010.
In a nut shell, I think this are sins of the time coz there is no way one can take the life of another without God’s permission. The world is angry. Love Ue
Repoting live from Cape Town(21:33),put us in yr prayers to arrive back home alive.
Matthew 24 + KJV Bible
Mat 24:3 ¶ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
…Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Mat 24:8 All these [are] the beginning of sorrows…. Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Luke 21 + KJV Bible
Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by. Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
#15, don’t worry much for you surely are on the right track:
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Be blessed you all.
Zambia has been giving refuge to so many unthankful and unappreciative people from neighboring countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe, just to name a few, for so long. The news about 25,000 refugees headed for Zambia is not welcome news. These people have to be put in refugee camps with strict rules so that Zambia’s security and safety of its people is not at stake. Zambabweans used to laugh at Zambia and Zambians while their economy seemed to be a little sound. As the saying goes people should never ridicule or poke fun at their neighbours and other people because they don’t know who is gonna help them out. This goes for the South African. Should Zed accept refugees again? Nooooooooooooo.
A 55 year old Zimbabwean national and two Zambian men have pleaded not guilty to obtaining K114 million, from a Muhammed allif by purporting to be selling him a property.
The three, Robert Cluer, Richard Shamambo and Martin Tembo who appeared before Lusaka Magistrate, Arida Chuulu have also denied one count of forgery, one count of uttering a document and another of making a false document.
The three whilst acting together on unknown dates but between January 3 and May 9 this year and with intent to defraud made a certificate of title for a Donavant Gray by purporting it was genuinely issued by the ministry of Lands.
This is what zimbos will be doing in Zambia.
Woe unto all Black opressors, who shed innocent blood! Dem can stop de violence but dem still hafi explain to de Almighty. How you fi hate you own breddaman instead a fi biuld one strong black nation??? Judgement fire a go bun dem!
While i condem the violence, it does not mean because other african countries helped us during the independence struggle, we can be the hub for every african wanting a better life. There is not enough jobs, houses and hospitals to cater for all africans. We are trying to get on our feet, out of the tin shacks only to find non south africans have taken our jobs. It is too much. We need our space. in town ships it seems like every other person is a non south African. We have had enough. Thank u for helping us, but we need breathing space. from the bottom of my heart sorry to those who lost loved ones.
I am disgusted with the behaviour of these South Africans. Is this a country that wants to represent the AFRICAN continent in the United Nations Security Council and wants a Permanent seat in that exclusive ‘club’? No, Africa, let’s gang up and block South Africa’s efforts to get into the UNSC by any cost. Let’s show South Africa that no country is an island. Let’s give our support to Nigeria or Egypt. At least they are a brother’s keeper. Shame South Africa. Sepp Blatter, move the 2010 soccer world cup show piece to Morocco. South Africa does not deserve it. PERIOD.
We gave you breathing space from PW Botha, state assasins and the murderous police. Today, you can roam your country and the world with pride yet you cannot allow your liberators to reside and work in the land that their brothers and sisters died for? Undiscovered tribes in the Amazon are willing to accept a foreigner as long as he does not commit a crime, insult the tribe and look down on it.
Enough of your selfish ways, we opened the doors of the world to you and now you must accept the world that is coming coming to work and live there, seduce and marry your women.
Apologies for being blunt but that’s reality’s first name.
There seems to be 2 shushushu’s. # 21. Who are you ? are you South African ?
Please the 25,000 Zimbabweans must not come to Zambia.Zambia is one region in Africa that has made alot of sacrifice at the expense of its own development. We assisted all these Southern African countries during liberation wars and actually kept them here in Zambia at our state house at the expense of our tax payers.Today Zambians are treated as aliens in RSA and Botswana. It is now that Zims have recognized us again bcos they were also hostile to us when their economy was booming better than us. I think,enough is enough amy they can now seek refugee into Bostwana. You ve ruined our ecomonomy!!!!
WHY DO THE SOUTH AFRICANS LIKE FIGHTING???they always want something to fight.Before it was apartheid,they fought against the whites who they blamed for being racist,and for their oppression.Now they are fighting the immigrants who they are blaming for crime and aids.Its said that ever since S.A got independence things hav gotten really bad in certain aspects of their society.And please I have got nothing against the zimbos but let them just go back to vote against Mugabe if they really want to make their own lives better.Zambia has high enough unemployment,we dont need anymore squatters!! please eh
welcome to the real world people, this is africa and not america with laws that protect everyone
FIFA should not be deceived, there will be no harmony in SOUTH AFRICA during the WORLD CUP in 2010.
When I recapitulate on the current xenophobia straggles of our fellow Africans are facing my heart is graved with great sorrow. What kinds of pictures have ‘we’ Africans in particular South Africans printed with regard to the unruly attacks on our fellow Africans? Give the Africans power they will exploit it to win popularity it makes them look like little gods, Give them the guns they will shoot and kill each other, Give them Freedom they manufacture tensions to destabilize the tranquility in the society because they are not used to be free but always seek to be under the control of some one with a Different colour to theirs.
Is it safe to travel to Zambia now with this surge of refugees
#9 Being a landlocked country does’nt necessarily mean Zim zim Govt should be allowed to trod on Zambians’ toes. Mugabe must face facts of Life and stop hiding behind trees like a hunted animal. He should comeout in the open like a man he claims to be.He is not honest enough to continue ruling Zimbabwe and ruining the lives of hundreds.May God find a way of disciplining him for ever.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (Lord Bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo (May her glory be lifted high)
Yiva imathandazo yethu (Hear our petitions)
Nkosi Sikelela (Lord bless us)
Thina lusapho lwayo (Us your children)
Yihla Moya, (Come Spirit)
Yihla Moya, yihla Moya,
Yihla Moya,
Yihla Moya, yihla Moya,
Yihla Moya oyingcwele (Come Holy Spirit)
Nkosi sikelele (Lord bless us)
Thina lusapho lwayo. (Us your children)
Morena boloka sechaba sa heso, (Lord we ask You to protect our nation)
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, (Intervene and end all conflicts)
Morena boloka sechaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho.
O se boloke, o se boloke, (Protect us)
O se boloke morena se boloke,
Sechaba sa heso (Protect our nation)
Sechaba sa heso
Ma kube njalo! (Let it be so)
Ma kube njalo!
Kude kube ngunaphakade, (Forever and ever)
Kude kube ngunaphakade!
The problem is not the rest of the national anthem. The problem is the first two sentences. “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (Lord Bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo (May her glory be lifted high)”……how shall will they sing this song with african pride. Catch 22!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!