Chakwera condemns afrophobic attacks: Malawi opposition leader dialogue with South African diplomat

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, who is also  Leader of  opposition in Parliament, has condemned the spate of xenophobic attack currently underway in South Africa, which has affected African immigrants including Malawi nationals.

Addressing a news conference in the capital Lilongwe on Friday after meetung South Africa High Commissioner to Malawi, Chakwera spoke out against the deaths and injuries of foreign nationals that had been inflicted by South African citizens.

“I am shocked and I strongly condemn the horrible killing of our brothers and sisters in the senseless xenophobic or afrophobic attacks currently taking place in the Republic of South Africa. It is sad that more than five lives have been lost while thousands are homeless and living in makeshift shelters,” said Chakwera at a news conference.

Chakwera was accompanied by Parliamentary Deputy chair, Joseph Njobvuyalema, deputy shadow secretary of international relations, Khumbize Kandodo and parliamentary women’s caucus chair, Dr Jessie Kabwira.

Leader of Opposition said:”This senseless crusade is being perpetrated by misguided but well organised criminal minds that live under the veil of ignorance whilst hallucinating about their own prosperity in the absence of free and fair competition,”

Adding that “What makes it worse is that this is not the first time that black Africans from other countries have experienced xenophobic attacks in the Republic of South Africa; and we have no reason to be convinced and believe that it will be the last.”

Chakwera then  called  upon the Government and the majority of civilized people of the Republic of South Africa to ensure that all perpetrators are not rewarded with a golden plate of impunity.

The MCP president said he met  the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa “to dialogue on how the situation could be contained and solutions found towards the treatment of our fellow African citizens in South Africa.  This is in the spirit of one Africa that we ought to champion.”

Meanwhile, Chakwera has condoled the believed families for losing their loved ones to Xenophobic attack.

Malawi government is repatriating its citizens trapped in the senseless violence.

Latest reports indicate that foreign-owned shops in South Africa have been attacked and looted Thursday night in eastern Johannesburg, the latest in a series of xenophobic attacks.

Police said about 200 foreign nationals took refuge at a police station in Jeppestown, and 12 people were arrested for the attacks.

Foreign-owned shops in South Africa have been attacked and looted overnight in eastern Johannesburg, the latest in a series of xenophobic attacks.

Police said about 200 foreign nationals took refuge at a police station in Jeppestown, and 12 people were arrested for the attacks.