Social Movements Indaba (SMI) Western Cape statement on xenophobic attacks

The Social Movements Indaba Western Cape has closely observed what is taking place in South Africa. We speak of the recent and current xenophobic attacks on our foreign nationals. We strongly condemn all these atrocities and we also condemn the slow pace at which the South African government responded to these xenophobic attacks.

We have noted that at the first day of the attacks no one from the government commented until the death toll reached 25. The South Africa MP's including the state president were almost over the show in a series of foreign trips leaving the country in a vacuum. Ever since then we never heard anything from the National Assembly that condemns these attacks. The only comments started after two weeks with the death toll at 42.

What a political disjuncture in our country! In fact as the SMI we are not surprised by the lack of leadership from the Mbeki regime. This regime has dismally failed to deliver on the basic needs of the poor South Africans including taking care of our foreign nationals who reside in South Africa in one way or the other.

The xenophobic attacks to our fellow brothers and sisters from other countries are a reflection of the failure of the Mbeki regime in dealing with jobs creation and housing for the poor people in South Africa.

For the SMI these attacks are a signal that the Mbeki regime has not been doing its work in connection with the asylum seekers, with the refugees, and all other foreign nationals in our country. It is becoming clearer that the department of home affairs has been exposed, as it is clear that our African brothers and sisters suffer from the xenophobia at home affairs. We know that many of our foreign comrades are not allowed to get permits to live in our country even if they lived in South Africa more than a decade.

We therefore condemn the xenophobic attacks our brothers and sisters as they are our fellow comrades.

We therefore demand an immediate reintegration of these of all people who have been displaced.

For reintegration of these people to the places they lived in their stay in South Africa. We are of the view that such reintegration should be initiated by communities themselves. And that will enable communities to defend the affected people.

Down with xenophobia down!!!

South Africa belongs to all who live in it.

Sent to the MHC from Mzimasi Mngeni (mzimasi@ilrig.org.za), Social Movement Indaba Western Cape, in South Africa