‘We have our freedom because of your support’

Kebby Maphatsoe, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, visited the victims of xenophobic attacks, who are being housed in the camp set up in front of the Primrose Police Station, on Wednesday.

The Minister also visited the Primrose Methodist Church, where Past Paul du Plessis, of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) gave him a tour.

The Primrose Methodist Church and AFM have joined forces to offer relief to those driven from their homes in the local informal settlements during the recent xenophobic attacks.

The Minister walked through the camp, where he later addressed the people housed there.

“I am visiting on behalf of the South African government,” he said.

“We condemn what happened last week, it must never never happen again.

“Some of us who are here were accommodated by yourselves in your countries.

“We were able to get our freedom because of your support.”

He went on to share a story of the support shown by the Mozambicans to South Africans during the struggle for freedom.

“Not once did you say: ‘Go away from our country’.

“You always said: ‘We will protect you until you achieve your freedom’,” Maphatsoe said.

He believes that the reason these attacks continue is because people do not know and/or realise the role that African countries played in South Africa’s struggle.

“We, as military veterans, have planned to start a programme, which aims to educate our people on the role foreign nationals played in South Africa’s struggle,” he said.

“If they understand that, they will regret what they have done.”

Maphatsoe praised the SAPS for their hard work during this difficult time, and offered his support and the support of military veterans throughout South Africa to the SAPS.

“The people doing this to you are criminal, and must be arrested,” he said.

“Criminals are criminals, nothing else.

“It is no longer xenophobia, it is criminal, and we will make sure that those who attack foreign nationals are arrested and face the full might of the law.”

Maphatsoe shared the metro’s plans to reintroduce foreign nationals back into the communities from which they came.

“The South Africa government is taking a hands-on approach to handling this problem, and the South African defence force’s support of the SAPS shows just how serious we are,” he said.

In closing, Maphatsoe expressed his condolence to those who have lost loved ones in this difficult time.

Related articles:

‘We are not a xenophobic nation’.

Foreign nationals flock to tented camp seeking refuge.