ZCTU Not Happy With The South African Government's Response To Xenophobia

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions has expressed their displeasure on how the South African government has addressed Xenophobia and Afrophobic attacks. The body has called the South African Government’s response to Xenophobia attacks “lukewarm”. ZCTU’s Japhet Moyo issued a statement that reads:

What is most disturbing is the lukewarm response by the South African authorities in protecting the foreign nationals, most of whom are economic refugees seeking out an honest living. We also call upon the South African government to put in place practical policies that safeguard migrants and bring a lasting solution to the ever resurfacing xenophobic attacks.

We also note that during the last attacks in 2008, 2015 and 2017 the South African authorities did very little to investigate and bring to book the culprits. This lack of political will resulted in the perpetrators believing that they can repeat xenophobic acts with impunity

South Africa’s success and independence came as a result of migrant labour and the sacrifice of Frontline States in the fight against apartheid. Since time immemorial, migrant labour has been part and parcel of Southern Africa. What is happening now is highly unfortunate and a dangerous attack on pan-Africanism

The South African government is accused by some people of having a soft styled response to Xenophobia which has destroyed property and killed some individuals. South Africans planned to protests against foreign truck drivers on 2 September 2019. The situation spiralled out of control when people started burning and looting foreigners owned shops. The SA government last week issued a statement saying they were ready to deal with the problem.

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