The South African government has warned against anarchy and violence following a wave of attacks on foreign nationals and businesses which affected parts of the country.
Dozens have been arrested in fresh xenophobic attacks that left one person dead. Several shops and property belonging to African immigrants in the country have been burnt and looted by suspected locals.
“No amount of grievance or unhappiness can justify the looting of shops, destruction of properties and illegal blocking of roads.
“Such acts constitute a criminal offence and the law enforcement agencies must respond without any fear or favour,” said Phumla Williams, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) spokesperson.
“We are a democratic state that promotes robust dialogue and engagement with the dissatisfied communities. As government, we will not allow anarchy and violence to be the order of the day.”
Nigeria had raised anger over the “unacceptable” attacks on its nationals in South Africa, warning that it will “take definitive measures to ensure safety and protection of her citizens” in the country.
The fresh xenophobic attacks come at a time when South Africa is to host the WEF on Africa attracting global leaders from business to politics.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will be joined at the event by his Botswana counterparts Mokgweetsi Masisi, Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Danny Faure (Seychelles), Hage Geingob (Namibia), Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia) among others.
