NCA: Zimbabweans under attack both inside and outside Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean
Friday, 16 May 2008 06:47
The National Constitutional Assembly, a Zimbabwean based organisation,
is outraged by the recent attacks on non-nationals in Alexandra,
Attridgiville, Diepkloof and other parts of South Africa. The attacks on
innocent and defenseless people in Alexandra, has left three people
dead, 40 seriously injured and hundreds rendered homeless.
The NCA believes that these attacks are being carried out and spurred
on by criminal elements and is not reflective of the broader solidarity
between the people of Zimbabwe and SA and no amount of manipulation of
people's desperate state of existence will severe these bonds. These
attacks stand stark against the recent acts of bravery and solidarity
displayed by South African workers in sup****t of the people of Zimbabwe,
in their struggle for a life of dignity and justice. It is in this
context that the NCA calls on the South African authorities to look into
the possibility of the involvement of Zimbabwean security agents and the
perpetrators need to be brought to book speedily.
After the attacks early this year in Pretoria, it was expected that
the Security services would have put measures in place, in areas where
"foreigners" reside, to prevent a recurrence of death and destruction.
Such measures could have prevented the unnecessary loss of life and
property in Alexandra. The NCA calls on the Ministry for Safety and
security to put in place measures that will prevent a recurrence of
Attridgiville and Alexandra.
The ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe means that more and more Zimbabweans
will flee to countries like South Africa and the rest of the region. The
majority of these people are poor, hungry and marginalised; many are
victims of violence and harassment. Stemming this tide of people fleeing
into other countries is wholly dependant on whether the ruling regime in
Zimbabwe is stopped from continuing to plunge the country and its people
into crisis, fear and mayhem. Thus our call on SA as the mediator to
stop its sup****t for the regime and to act in defence of the people of
Zimbabwe, both inside and outside Zimbabwe.
The NCA urges the Department of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs and
Safety and Security to convene an urgent meeting before the situation
gets out of hand. We also urge the South African government to urgently
show political will in protecting the rights of non nationals. As a
first step the NCA calls on the South African government to halt all
de****tations of Zimbabweans from South Africa.
Meanwhile the NCA and other human rights groups are working tirelessly
in making sure those affected get tem****ary assistance such as
accommodation, medical help and food.
Information Desk
National Constitutional Assembly
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