adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
POLICE have arrested 12 South Africans from Lebowakgomo, in Limpopo province over xenophobic attacks that left five people injured and more than 100 foreigners, including Zimbabweans, fleeing to nearby villages.
The South Africans in Makurung Village were reportedly accusing the Zimbabweans of stealing from their houses. Zimbabwe’s consul-general in South Africa, Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, yesterday confirmed the arrests and fresh attacks.
Mukonoweshuro and consular staff visited Lebowakgomo, about 56km outside Polokwane, to assess the situation. “It was resolved at a meeting that we had with South African authorities that it was only the government which had the right to deport undocumented foreigners from South Africa. After the meeting, 12 men were arrested in connection with the attacks,” he said.
Mukonoweshuro said police thwarted protests against the arrests at the weekend.
“We went to the area last week where a meeting was held to address the issue. The meeting was attended by South African Police Service (SAPS) officials, the local station commander Colonel Magashoa, officials from the rural council, the area chief Moepedi Mphahlele, the village head Joyce Shogole and some residents,” said Mukonoweshuro.
“When we left the area, the foreigners had returned except for some Zimbabweans who were living in two properties that were burnt down. We met some of them who told us that five people had been treated and discharged after sustaining minor injuries in the attacks. I’m happy with the intervention by the police and the local leadership and I hope the locals will adhere to the resolution. The leadership advised foreigners to register with the local chief so that they’re known in the area”.
He added that investigations to assess the situation in Grahamstown were underway.
“We received reports that some rogue elements had surfaced in Grahamstown. Some students residing in the area had to be accommodated at Rhodes University because they couldn’t go home. A number of foreigners’ shops were burnt down and most of the affected were Nigerians, Somalis and Ethiopians. We’ll visit the area to assess the situation and seek intervention from authorities if possible,” said Mukonoweshuro.
Earlier this year, about 5,000 Zimbabweans were sheltered at camps in Durban following widespread xenophobic attacks.
The government repatriated a majority of them after South Africans, according to that country’s government, killed seven foreigners in the attack.
Witnesses said the number of people who were killed was much higher.
Online Reporter