Improved action plan needed to prevent further Xenophobic attacks

23 January 2015

The DA calls on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to urgently institute measures to arrest the continuing xenophobic violence in Soweto if we are to avoid the violent xenophobic situation that erupted in 2008.

I will write to the Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, to demand vastly improved early warning systems and action plans to prevent and combat xenophobic incidents in South Africa.

It is clear that early warning systems implemented after the 2008 xenophobic attacks, in which 41 foreign nationals were killed, are not working.

Reports in the media suggest that the current wave of looting of foreign-owned spaza shops was spurred by the alleged fatal shooting of a 14 year-old boy after a robbery in a shop owned by a foreign national in Snake Park on Monday night.

The violence and looting has since spread to other areas including Dobsonville, Emdeni, Zola, White City, Mapetla, Tladi Phiri, Molapo, Braamfischerville, Protea Glen and Meadowlands.

The DA extends its condolences to the families of those who have been killed and those who have had their livelihoods destroyed by the looting.

Many foreigners are living in fear of being attacked or forced from their homes and are seeking shelter in police stations.

The DA calls on the police to dedicate sufficient resources and officers to Soweto to prevent any further loss of life and property or attacks on foreigners and to make sure that peace and stability are restored.

Prevention is always better than cure. Therefore it is vitally important that effective systems be put in place to warn authorities of any possible future flare-ups of xenophobic violence. 

Statement issued by Zakhele Mbhele MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Police, January 23 2015

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