Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe’s Chief Whip and Southern Region Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Chairperson, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, has thrown his weight behind a collective continental response to the spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, insisting that African nations should rally behind the South African Government instead of engaging in finger-pointing.
Recently, while making a substantive contribution on Afrophobic violence at the PAP session in Midrand, Cde Togarepi dismissed the notion that the attacks are a product of state policy, characterising them instead as “criminal acts perpetrated by certain individuals and groups pursuing their own interests.”
He told delegates that the continent’s shared history and the ideals of Pan-Africanism demand that member states work in concert to find durable solutions.
“The responsibility before us is not to apportion blame but to find lasting solutions together. As Africans, we must stand in solidarity and work collectively with the South African government to end these unfortunate incidents,” he said.
Cde Togarepi, who also serves as Zimbabwe’s Government Chief Whip, stressed that the challenge transcends national borders and requires joint action from all African capitals.
He urged fellow parliamentarians to view the matter as a unifier rather than a source of discord among sister republics.
“The responsibility before us is not to apportion blame but to find lasting solutions together. As Africans, we must stand in solidarity and work collectively with the South African Government to end these unfortunate incidents,” he reiterated.
He further underscored that Pan-Africanism is anchored in unity, peaceful coexistence, and the inviolable dignity of every African, irrespective of where they reside.
In that regard, he called on member states to actively support Pretoria’s efforts to protect all people living within its borders, adding that the Pan-African Parliament remains a vital forum for fostering dialogue and advancing practical measures that strengthen regional cooperation.
“The ideals of Pan-Africanism demand unity, peaceful coexistence and the protection of the rights and dignity of all Africans, regardless of the country in which they reside,” Cde Togarepi remarked.
The debate, which was moved by Hon Lazare Yao Yao of Côte d’Ivoire, forms part of the Parliament’s broader commitment to advancing peace, unity and integration across the African continent.
During the debate, PAP called on South Africa to intensify measures to prevent and eliminate xenophobic and Afrophobic violence against African nationals living in the country.
A motion was moved during the session urging the South African government to strengthen legislative, administrative, policing and community-based measures to protect nationals of other African union (AU) member states from violence, intimidation and discrimination.
The motion strongly condemned all forms of xenophobic and Afrophobic violence, hate speech, incitement, intimidation, looting, destruction of property and discrimination directed against nationals of other African union Member States residing in South Africa.
PAP called on South African authorities to ensure that perpetrators were brought to justice.
