Malawi govt urges transporters, travellers to suspend trips to South Africa over Xeno attacks
Government is urging local transporters and road travellers to suspend their trips to South Africa in view of xenophobic attacks until such a time that the security situation improves.
In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation says the government is closely monitoring the situation in the mineral rich rainbow country.
“Government further wishes to advise truck drivers and those who are planning to travel to the Republic of South Africa by road to consider such trips during this period until such a time that the security situation improves,” says the statement in part.
The statement comes amid reports of the latest spate of xenophobic attacks where foreigners, including Malawians, living in South Africa have been attacked and a number of shops and dwelling places belonging to African migrants and trucks have been looted and set alight particularly in the Johannesburg and Pretoria Central Business Districts (CBDs).
The statement says the Malawi government is working with the government of the Republic of South Africa to ensure that Malawians in South Africa are provided with adequate security.
The government is since advising Malawians living in South Africa to stay away from communities where there are incidences of violence for their safety.
The statement also says if under threat, the Malawians should immediately present themselves to the nearest police station and to the High Commission in Pretoria or the consulate in Johannesburg.
Reads the statement in part: “As it is the duty of the Malawi Government to ensure that its entire citizenry remains safe. The Government, through the Malawi Mission in South Africa, is closely monitoring the situation.
“Government further wishes to remind all Malawians living abroad, including in South Africa, to abide by the laws of the host countries to avoid being found on wrong side of the law.”
The Ministry has since condemned the xenophobic attacks adding that it is working with its South African counterparts to ensure that all Malawians in South Africa are provided with adequate security.
A press statement without substance.
I am here in SA, the situation is quiet for now. I hope it will be like this, kuti basi zatha. Komatu anthu akwapulidwa kuno mwamva kkkkkkkk, ndipo kukhala foreigner si chinthu chabwino. koma nanga titani, khobiri iriko kuno
If only the Government was serious against corruption and use all the money that has been stolen and stacked either in fareign banks or in homes, the money could have been used for development programs and creates jobs for malawians who are now in South Africa and else where in the region. In reality the Government has made its citizens destitutes and hoping other countries will take care of them. When i grew up i saw my parents working so hard in the fields so that we did not go to other peoples homes wanting a plate of food. A… Read more »
i agree with you Rex, our government can do more to prevent people from going to south Africa out of desperation if indeed theft from public coffers is curbed out. Others our people will continue to be dog bathers in South Africa.