AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - South Africa reassures the authorities in Harare: "we will protect your expatriates against xenophobic threats"

Monday, 30 January 2017 xenophobia  

Harare (Agenzia Fides) - The Zimbabwean government has received assurances from the South African authorities on measures taken to cope with the recent xenophobic threats against the Zimbabwean communities living in the Country. This was stated by Deputy Home Affairs Minister Obedingwa Mguni, according to whom "the South African the government has guaranteed the safety of our nationals. There is no way they will allow another episode of xenophobic attacks. I am quite assured", he said.
Tensions in South Africa against foreigners have increased after a group called "Mamelodi Concerned Residents" distributed a threatening letter in which accuses immigrants of committing crimes such as drug trafficking and robberies.
The Interior Minister of South Africa, Malusi Gigaba, however, has stated that he suspects that there are some opposition forces in Zimbabwe behind the threats against the large community of expatriates from Zimbabwe, who would like to push the Zimbabweans to repatriation in order to then allow them to a vote in the next election. Most of those who are expatriates are considered opponents of President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/01/2017)


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