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Johannesburg — President Jacob Zuma has assigned three ministers to attend to the xenophobic attacks in KwaZulu-Natal, the presidency said yesterday.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and State Security Minister David Mahlobo would work with the provincial government to try to put an end to the violence that had broken out in the province, spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
“The president strongly condemns violence against foreign nationals as well as the destruction of property and the looting of shops in Durban and in any part of the republic.
“President Zuma has emphasised that government is addressing the issues that are being raised by citizens nationally, in particular, complaints about illegal and undocumented migrants, the takeover of local shops and other businesses by foreign nationals as well as perceptions that foreign nationals perpetrate crime.”
The attacks, which started in Isipingo on March 25, spread to other areas around Durban, including Chatsworth and Umlazi. Two Somalians were critically injured when their shop, in a shipping container, was petrol-bombed in Umlazi’s W Section on Friday. More police officers had since been sent to the area.
Zuma said all spheres of government had been directed to enforce laws and by-laws to curb illegal trading and stop the spread of unlicensed shops.
“We urge citizens to allow government to attend to these and other immigration challenges and to not take the law into their own hands,’’ he said. — News24
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