Honourable Speaker; His Excellency the President of our Republic; Honourable
Members –

Why are we slow to arrest violence when it’s targeted at foreigners? I ask, Mr
President, because the violence that started in Isipingo two weeks ago has
already spilled over into Johannesburg CBD, Soweto, Germiston, Durban, Phoenix,
Verulam.

Why are we only now hearing an Executive Statement on “violence in KwaZulu
Natal”? Our country’s past has taught us that when violence flares up, the
response of leaders must be immediate and unequivocal. When leaders stay silent,
people die.

In 2008, when our people necklaced Zimbabwean refugees and went on a murderous
rampage against foreign nationals, it was I who spoke up on behalf of South
Africa’s leadership. It was I who apologised on behalf of our nation, and urged
our people to desist.

Now, when people are again living in fear, running for their lives and watching
their houses and businesses burnt to the ground, it is again I who immediately
went to the hotspot and apologised on behalf of our nation.

South Africa’s leaders are slow to act, and it fuels the fire of violence.

When we stand amongst the nations of the world, how can we feel anything but
shame?

I remember visiting President Kaunda in 1974 to thank Zambia for giving
sanctuary to all our political exiles. I visited President Nyerere as well, to
thank Tanzania for welcoming our exiles. We were part of Africa then and we are
part of Africa now.

Are we not ashamed, when Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma heads the African Union? When
we have bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade agreements with SADC that secure
billions of Rands for South Africa. When we deploy our Defence Force to keep the
peace in the DRC.

Indeed, how can our peace-keeping missions on this continent have any authority
when we refuse to deploy the Defence Force on our own soil, though lives are
being lost?

Earlier this week, I called for a peace-keeping intervention by the Defence
Force to stop the violence from spreading. But the Honourable Minister of Police
disagreed, and the Premier of KwaZulu Natal scoffed, “It’ll all be over by
Thursday.”

It’s Thursday, Mr President. What now?

Four days ago already, hostel dwellers on the rampage in KwaMashu, armed with
hammers, axes and crowbars, threatened an Indian reporter from The Times
newspaper. “Leave or die, Indian dog”, they shouted.

Are Indians foreigners now too, after being South Africans for 155 years? Last
week, a white businessman told me that his eleven year old son asked whether
whites are going to be driven out next.

We are allowing a reign of terror, Mr President. We cannot be slow and hesitant
to respond. Our shame must prompt us to act

IFP Media, Parliament