LEADERS in KwaZulu-Natal, Prime Minister Thami Ntuli, and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, have come out publicly to condemn violence against immigrants following the increase in anti-immigrant protests, some of which have turned violent.
They said that the protesters do not have the right to go and check whether the immigrants have documents to be in the country as there are agencies authorized to do this work.
The land in KwaZulu-Natal is getting smaller and smaller for immigrants as almost every day there is a protest against illegal immigrants.
There are a lot of protests in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, recently they are happening in small towns and even in royal areas. There are kings who have publicly said that they no longer need immigrants.
The organizations Women’s Liberation Movement and African Solidarity Network, said that the conflict of 2008 and 2015 may happen if the rising violence is not stopped.
In 2015, seven immigrants were killed when there were incidents of attacks on them in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Johannesburg. A number of immigrant shops were burnt down in those protests.
In 2008 it was reported that 62 people died during violence against immigrants that started in Johannesburg and eventually spread to many provinces including KwaZulu-Natal.
In a joint statement, organizations condemning violence said there are indications that the situation could escalate if left unchecked.
“Over the past few months, we have seen the situation in KwaZulu-Natal intensify. There have been protests outside Addington Primary School, there have been allegations of barring immigrants from hospitals and schools, there are just too many people who have come forward to say things that discriminate against immigrants.”
The organizations urged the police to arrest the perpetrators of the violence.
They called on kings, government agencies, churches and businessmen to intervene.
“And Silo Misuzulu of Zwelithini has an important role to play in restoring stability.”
Ntuli urged people to calm down, saying it should not be seen as if the people of KwaZulu-Natal are discriminating against immigrants.
He said this while talking to SABC News.
“It should be clear that the problem we have is people who are in this country illegally. There should be no confusion about this matter. A foreigner who wants to be in this country must have documents authorizing him to be in this country. Those who do not have documents should return to their countries.”
Mkhwanazi said that he will still have a meeting with the leaders of the organizations organizing the protests.
Mkhwanazi said the protesters are not trained to see if immigrants have the correct documents.
He said this while talking to Newsroom Africa.
“If the protestors have information about immigrants who are in the country illegally, they should report it to the police and they will investigate. They will end up confusing the people of South Africa and confusing them with immigrants.”