Xenophobic Wave Kills Two Mozambicans in Durban, South Africa
(2015-04-10) Two Mozambicans were killed in the xenophobic attacks in Durban South Africa, a source from the Mozambican Consulate in Pretoria confirmed to Rádio Moçambique. In the meanwhile, South African Media today warns that the victims may still grow as police is investigating whether the "several dead bodies" found in Durban "are foreign nationals or South Africans".
Over 70 Mozambican citizens, women and children included, have abandoned their homes and seek shelter in temporary camps or police stations in the Durban area.
South African Business Day Live reports today that “at least three foreign nationals, and possibly several more, died in a wave of suspected xenophobic violence that swept through Durban and surrounding areas on Thursday."
According to BD Live, "the deaths were reported in Chatsworth and Umlazi." Elsewhere in Durban, reads the article, the police found several bodies, "but it is unclear whether they are of foreign nationals or South Africans."
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said: "We don’t know how many foreigners have been killed so far but cases of murder have been opened. We are still collating information from police stations."
In Isipingo and in townships, businesses owned by foreign nationals were closed on Thursday.
AFP cites Durban police sources, reporting that “over a thousand immigrants in South Africa have fled their homes following a series of violent attacks by locals.”
The news agency adds that “the immigrants, mostly African, have been housed at police stations and tents, as angry locals vowed to push them out."
"They said they were intimidated to vacate their homes by locals and came to us because they feared for their lives," police spokesman Thulani Zwane told AFP.
A Somali shopkeeper is reportedly fighting for his life after he was shot in the chest in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban. The man was rescued by the police from youngsters who are said to have looted his shop, and rushed to a local hospital, informs BD.
Police on Wednesday broke up a march by a group of foreign nationals who were protesting against the violence, firing water cannons and tear gas, AFP reports.
Police said the march was illegal. Spokesman Eugene Msomi told AFP the crowd had to be dispersed when they failed to follow orders to do so.
Ambushed and Beaten Mozambicans Chased Away From Home
In the meanwhile Times Live reported yesterday “a growing crowd of Mozambicans and Zimbabweans at the Sydenham police station after they were chased by locals from their homes in the New Germany Road informal settlement, on Tuesday.
On Monday night, reports Daily News,"a different group gathered at Greenwood Park police station – also after being chased from their homes." On the same day, church leaders had visited a camp in Isipingo after foreigners were hounded out of that area as well as Umlazi.
Many of the affected people are families who have been living in Durban for several years, stresses Times Live.
At Sydenham police station on Tuesday, Joseph Msimango, 36, of Zimbabwe, said the New Germany Road informal settlement residents’ committee had taken a roll call on Monday of all foreign nationals.
“They took down our names and checked our papers. They said they wanted to check that we were all here legally. We had no problem, because they talked to us properly,” he said.
Hours later, the foreign nationals were ambushed in their homes and beaten, many escaping with only the clothes they were wearing, according to Daily News.
Another man who asked not to be named said: “We have been living with them as brothers for 15 years. All of a sudden they herd us out like cows.”
Most of the group work as artisans. Besides their passports and other documents, they are desperate to go back for their tools.
“We just want to take our things, make some money and go home before we are killed,” said another.
Mozambican David Santo: "We want to go back to our homeland"
On Sunday, 28 Mozambicans fled from a Sea Cow Lake shack settlement after a mob of 15 balaclava-clad men allegedly attacked them and are now living in one of the prefabricated offices at the Greenwood Park police station.
One of the victims, David Santo, told Daily News that the mob arrived on Saturday night. They stoned the shacks of the foreigners and looted their homes.
Several men were beaten with sticks, rocks and bottles, Santo said. “They broke whatever they could in our shacks, including our fridges and televisions.
“They threatened to kill (us) on Sunday if they found us still staying there. Some of the residents fled to the CBD. The police took the rest of us to the police station,” he said.
“We want to go back to our homeland.”
Santo said the “landlord” of the rented shacks had tried to help them, but the mob pushed him aside, saying they did not want foreigners in the country.
Another victim, who identified herself as Linda, said they rented the shacks for R350 a month.
Some Mozambicans have been living in the settlement for 10 years, working as tradesmen, shop assistants and domestic workers.
Xenophobic Rampage
The attacks came days after Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini publicly said immigrants should "pack their bags and leave" the country.
The comments made during a traditional event north of KwaZulu Natal province were widely reported.
Similar statements have been made by President Jacob Zuma's son Edward.
These xenophobic attacks follow those in Gauteng, in January.
In 2008, 62 people were killed in xenophobic violence in Johannesburg townships.
Photo: Diplomat Somalia (File) / File photo of xenophobic attacks in South Africa
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