Ladies and gentlemen, congress and friends, My name is Jacob Zuma and i am here today to discuss with you the issue of Xenophobia outbreak in South Africa. Xenophobia is a intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries.The Anti-foreigner attacks that have been happening over the last few months have forced more than 5,000 migrants from African nations to be forced out of their homes. The recent death of Emmanuel Sithole, a mozambican man who was murdered in broad day light was extremely saddening to hear about. First of all i would personally like to send condolences out to his entire family and tell those who are currently in his situation to not panic because the south african government is doing everything they can to track down and punish the criminals responsible. Many people have begun to compare the recent events to what happened in 2008 when Mozambican Migrant Ernesto Alfabeto Nhamuave was stabbed and set on fire by a mob. This happened in a Township near near Johannesburg but we would like to make clear that the current situation is nothing like that of 2008. This time we will be taking serious actions against the criminal offences and bring justice to the people that are being affected by the epidemic. The xenophobic mayhem has sharpened a sense of “us and them” which is causing bitterness among nations that hosted thousands of Events. the cause of this outbreak was due to the south african citizens believing that the foreigners are taking their jobs. We are doing everything in our power to make it clear to our people that the immigrants are not the cause, but the anger that burns inside then is deep. We are beginning to face backlash for what is out of our control, our vehicles are being pelted with stones while our companies are being threatened with closure. The South African economy is starting to suffer greatly . African nations feel particularly offended by the attacks, given the support the continent gave to South Africa during its long fight against white-minority rule. We have also been criticised by the government of countries including China, Nigeria and Zimbabwe for failing to protect Foreigners.
Mozambique- Mine and gas workers evacuated. Mozambican workers at mining and gas companies have protested about the violence, demanding the South African employees leave and that their jobs should be taken by those fleeing the violence in South Africa. A road block has been set up by a group of people who are stopping vehicles with South African number plates from entering the country and reportedly stoning some of them.
Malawi- There have been calls for people to stop buying South African goods and services. They are giving the South Africans one week to close their shops in Malawi. “If they don’t want us in their country, we don’t want their goods here too.”
