POLITICS

Xenophobia: Stop the violence! - Alliance

Organisation says the attacks are a complete opposite of the values of the African people

South Africa’s Liberation Alliance speaks: “Stop violence against foreign nationals: A call to action”

18 April 2015

The ANC-led liberation Alliance comprising of the African National Congress, the South African Communist Party, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African National Civic Organisation convened its Secretariat on 17 April 2015. The Alliance discussed the recent breakout of the spate of appalling and despicable violence on foreign nationals. The Alliance condemns the attacks in strongest possible terms, and calls on all South Africans, black and white together, to stand up and defend our hard-won transition to democracy and freedom.

The attacks are a complete opposite of the values of the African people, social solidarity, peaceful co-existence and co-operation, friendship, international peace and solidarity. The attacks are more degrading to the perpetrators, who appear to be uncaring and inhuman. They undermine the standing of our nation, our programme for African unity, world peace and justice!

Our struggle against colonial oppression and apartheid was the struggle against historical injustices. This is the struggle of the unity of the African people – the historic mission and DNA of the African National Congress. It is through this struggle that the leadership of the African National Congress – the oldest liberation movement in Africa – is recognised not only by South Africa’s liberation Alliance but by the rest of the people who fought side by side against colonial domination.

We, the Alliance and the rest of the people of South Africa will not allow our hard-won achievements and the shared destination of the peoples of Africa to be undermined by a few. It is time for all to stand up and join the march in defence of freedom.

The Alliance has called on all its structures to convene community meetings in every ward across the country as a matter of urgency. The meetings must discuss the implementation of practical measures to stop the attacks and incitements by those fanning this despicable violence. The meetings must further discuss steps to be taken to prevent the reoccurrence of the attacks. The Alliance will deploy its leaders across the country to the meetings.

The liberation Alliance as led by the ANC will continue interactions with sister liberation movements across the continent and assure them of our commitment to fighting this crime. The ANC-headed Alliance remains committed to African unity and regional integration to ensure collective prosperity.

The Alliance calls on government to immediately take steps to strengthen immigration regulations and ensure the safety all.    

Statement issued by by the Alliance Secretariat (ANC, COSATU, SACP, SANCO), April 18 2015