In the midst of escalating xenophobic attacks in various places across South
Africa, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, President of the IFP, has expressed the
apology owed by our nation yet disturbingly withheld by our nation's leaders.

Following the release of detailed comment in his online newsletter today
(available at www.ifp.org.za) Prince Buthelezi issued the following message to
all foreign nationals on South African soil –

"Today I am ashamed to be South African. We have trampled the very Constitution
that places our country at the forefront of human rights' protection.

I apologise unreservedly on behalf of every citizen who has involved themselves
in the looting of shops and businesses, and the targeting of foreign nationals
for intimidation and violence. I apologise on behalf of every official and law
enforcement officer who has failed to protect your property and person and
uphold your constitutional rights. And I apologise on behalf of the leaders in
authority who have not challenged xenophobia in our nation with the rigour it
demands.

I make this apology as a former Minister of Home Affairs, under whose leadership
we first opened our doors to migration. I do so as a Member of Parliament and as
President of the Inkatha Freedom Party, which upholds the values of
inclusiveness and equality. Fundamentally, I do so as a human being.

On behalf of my country, and with deep shame, I apologise to our brothers and
sisters who have been victims of such criminal and contemptuous behaviour on
South African soil.

I call on my fellow compatriots to examine their conscience, and I call on my
nation's leaders to act now to end xenophobia."

Issued by the IFP