EDITOR – The recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals within eThekwini must be condemned by every responsible citizen in the strongest possible terms.
The attacks, which have taken place in Isipingo, Umlazi, Chatsworth, Kwamashu and in central Durban are a despicable act. Almost as shocking are KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu’s attempts to downplay the situation by labeling it as “petty criminality”. This despite hundreds of foreign nationals being forced to flee their homes, having their shops looted, being assaulted and even murdered.
It is clear that the Premier is suffering from ‘ostrich syndrome”, burying his head in the sand rather than facing the problem head on. This severe lack of leadership extends to provincial police Commissioner Ngobeni and KZN Community Safety MEC, Willies Mchunu. It is clear that KZN SAPS does not have the capacity to contain the problem. The 100 additional members deployed by the national Commissioner are entirely inadequate to curb the spread of such mob violence and it is critical that more support is
galvanized for those SAPS members being deployed to hot spots.
I have this week written to KZN’s Community Safety portfolio committee chairperson, requesting that this serious issue be prioritized at the next meeting to be held on 24 April. I have called for a full report from the provincial Commissioner, outlining the steps
that SAPS have in place for the prevention of crimes against foreign nationals and protection of foreign national within communities.
I have also called for a report from MEC Mchunu, explaining the steps his department has put in place to engage with local communities to prevent xenophobic attacks.
Acts such as xenophobia have no place in a democratic South Africa.
Dr Rishigen Viranna, MPL
DA KZN
Spokesperson on Community Safety
