17
Apr
A human rights organisation here has called on government in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to “move in swiftly and protect” their citizens as reports say at least six Malawians are among the dead, following xenophobic killings in South Africa.
A private radio station, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, quoted its sources in South Africa as saying the Malawian consulate in Pretoria was investigating the death of six Malawians.
Reports say hundreds of Malawians living in poor high density areas in South Africa have been displaced following the xenophobic attack, as some of them were hurrying back home.
Samuel Kachoka, who was staying in Soweto, told PANA Wednesday from his village in the Lakeshore district of Mangochi he had to flee “quickly” after being warned that foreigners were being targeted.
“I didn’t have time to collect anything from home,” said Kachoka who was working at a service station downtown Johannesburg.
He said a number of Malawians have been injured in the attacks, adding he did not know about any deaths because he fled at the beginning of the attacks.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has urged SADC government to do something about the attacks.
“SADC has to act now in dealing with the xenophobia in South Africa before it spreads to the rest of the region,” said the HRCC statement.
It added: “HRCC is calling upon the governments in SADC, including Malawi, to move in swiftly and protect its citizens that are living in South Africa.
“SADC governments have a moral obligation to protect its citizenry wherever they may be to the greatest possible and practical extent.
The governments in SADC must ensure the rights and freedoms of those living abroad are protected and promoted at all times.
” HRCC also echoed what the President of African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, said that the xenophobia in South Africa has to be dealt with much urgently and from all relevant angles.
“The xenophobia in South Africa also just confirmed our concern the crisis in Zimbabwe is not only for Zimbabweans but for the whole of SADC region in particular and the world at large.
“We are therefore calling for the leaders of SADC to address the crisis in Zimbabwe as a matter of urgency to minimise the rate at which Zimbabweans are fleeing their country to seek refuge in other countries mostly South Africa,” read the statement signed by HRCC executive director Undule Mwakasungula.
South Africa has for the past week seen an unprecedented spasm of xenophobia as poor South Africans attack foreigners who they accuse of stealing their jobs.