Former South African Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has condemned the recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals in South Africa.
Dr. Dlamini-Zuma described the incidents as unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of the country’s leadership.
Her remarks come at a time of heightened tensions, following reports that some groups of South Africans, led by activist Jacinta Zuma, have been engaging in violent acts against foreign nationals.
The attacks are said to be driven by claims that non-South Africans are taking over employment opportunities meant for citizens, a narrative that has repeatedly fueled periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence in parts of the country.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, April 25, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma, who currently serves as Advisory Council Chair of the African Prosperity Network, distanced the South African government and its ruling party from the actions of those involved in the attacks.
She stated that xenophobia is not a policy position and should not be associated with the governing African National Congress (ANC).
“Xenophobia is not the official position of the South African government. We don’t endorse xenophobia at all, we hate it. There are those who are politicising it, which is wrong, but in the governing party, this is not endorsed, and we are against it.
“The police should care when someone is being attacked in the country. I was once a Home Affairs Minister. My view was that those who are here legally have the right to be here, and those who are here illegally, the law says they must be deported.”
Xenophobic attacks: “We’ll not compromise on protecting Ghanaians abroad – Ablakwa
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