160 civil society groups accuse government of failing to stop xenophobic violence and migrant displacement

Anti-immigrants

Cape Town – A coalition of more than 160 civil society organisations has accused the government of failing to respond adequately to the growing wave of xenophobic violence, forced removals, intimidation, and displacement of migrants across South Africa.

According to IOL, the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign met with representatives from the Presidency and the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster on Thursday evening, calling for urgent government intervention ahead of the 30 June deadline being promoted by anti-migrant groups.

The coalition said the meeting highlighted what it described as a “woefully inadequate” government response, particularly to the humanitarian crisis facing migrants who have fled their homes out of fear of violence.

The meeting was attended by a national delegation from the Siyafana Sonke coalition, led by activist Mametlwe Sebei, as well as representatives from the Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Home Affairs, Basic Education, Defence and Military Veterans, and Employment and Labour.

Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Professor Lubna Nadvi acknowledged that many South Africans have legitimate concerns about unemployment and poor service delivery, but stressed that these challenges should not come at the expense of migrants’ human rights.

The coalition presented three key demands to government:

  • An immediate humanitarian response plan for displaced migrants;
  • A halt to deportations and the victimisation of African migrants; and
  • The arrest and prosecution of individuals organising, inciting or carrying out violence and intimidation.

The campaign also called for urgent humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, water and other essential support for people who have been displaced by the violence.

Meanwhile, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has accused former president and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma of fuelling anti-migrant sentiment by allegedly supporting the March and March movement.

According to The Citizen, leaders of the March and March movement have denied receiving backing from the MK Party.

Mbalula criticised Zuma, saying the former president should be setting an example rather than encouraging rhetoric that could incite violence.

“Jacob Zuma is an elder in this country; he was the president. South Africans are failing to hold him accountable for things that he does and which happened under his watch, and he knows the difficulties of immigration that we’re dealing with.

“And today he is joining the fray, not responsible, irresponsible as an elderly person, a statesman, a man who was a president in this country, standing up on a platform and fuelling violence. ‘Mabahambe’… How can a person who was a leader not so long ago call for violence in the country? Does he know what will happen here? Who wants this violence that is being reported? These people don’t know what they are talking about,” Mbalula said.

He further alleged that Zuma’s support for the movement was politically motivated.

“He is supporting March and March for political reasons, because he wants votes.”

Mbalula argued that political support should not come at the cost of encouraging conflict between South Africans and fellow Africans.

“There are many ways to win votes. He won votes, and people followed him. He crippled the ANC, big numbers in Gauteng and KZN. He didn’t do that by violence. Why would you encourage ordinary South Africans to fight other Africans who are illegal in your country?

“What is that going to end with all of us? We should be looking at the state to increase its capacity to deal with this phenomenon,” he said.

Picture: Copilot

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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

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