BLA is appalled by attacks against our fellow brothers and sisters from the neighbouring states and the diaspora thereto. At least seven people have been brutally murdered in unprovoked attacks on defenceless foreign nationals. Hundreds are displaced and some have been forced to return to their countries of origin, going back to the same social conditions that forced them to come to South Africa in the first place. This is inhumane, and goes against our values as people of African descent.

We call upon our people to desist from acts of xenophobia and isolate the criminal elements that appear to have taken advantage of the genuine frustrations of our people relating to social conditions. We echo the calls by his Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu to protect our African brothers and sisters from these unprovoked attacks. The President of the Republic has called on all our people to work together to protect foreign nationals some of whom came into our country to escape persecutions in their own countries. The call by thePresident of the Republic should be heeded by all South Africans and work together with the law enforcement agencies to isolate the criminals that instigate this kind of violence.

BLA calls upon the legal fraternity to contribute to the efforts of all the organizations, individuals and the different spheres of government not only to prevent further attacks but also to help reintegrate the foreign nationals into the communities in which they lived prior to these attacks.

 

Issued by Black Lawyers Association