Zuma breaks silence on xenophobic attacks

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa has released a statement, condemning the acts of violence on non-nationals in the country.

This is in reaction to the fresh surge of xenophobic attacks in the country.

“This is the wrong attitude to be meted out to foreigners,” Zuma said.

“Many citizens of other countries living in South Africa are law abiding and contribute to the economy of the country positively.

“It is wrong to brandish all non-nationals as drug dealers or human traffickers.

“The threats and counter-threats on social media must stop.”

South African police on Friday allegedly fired tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters marching in violence in the Atteridgeville area west of the state capital, Pretoria.

The protesters took to the streets following the alleged looting of stores believed to belong to immigrants and the recent surge of xenophobic attacks on non-nationals by South Africans.

At least 20 stores in Pretoria owned by foreigners were reportedly looted on Tuesday, but the police claimed it could not confirm that the attacks had deliberately targeted foreigners.

Lulu Mnguni, the high commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria had earlier apologised to Nigerians, saying the attacks were poor representation of South African values.