“This was rather unfortunate. The attacks are steadily intensifying despite the said ministerial intervention.SA should just stop it,” reads one of the tweets from #263Chat discussions.
This was revealed during the #263Chat Twitter discussion on xenophobic attacks, held by @263Chat yesterday.
#263Chat discussions are weekly discussions hosted by @263Chat on Tuesdays.
Through this twitter discussion, multitudes of Zimbabweans have demystified the foregoing wave of attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
The attacks emanated from some South Africans who have accused immigrants of taking jobs and opportunities away from them.
The latest violence followed reported comments by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, an influential figure among the Zulu ethnic group, that foreigners should “pack their bags” and leave.
President Jacob Zuma’s son risked further inflaming the situation as he called for an end to “unnecessarily accommodating” foreign nationals.
The widespread attacks against refugees, migrants and their businesses most recently in the Durban area have triggered some debate amongst some Zimbabweans with some calling on a total boycott of South African products.
Contributing to the discussion on xenophobic attacks, Edson Zivanai, a twtiter user contends that the first step is to abscond from using South African products.
@263Chat @marlon_ralph The first STEP is to boycott South African products wherever possible #zimlivesmatter
— edson zivanai (@EdsonCedil) April 14, 2015
Chibange echoed the above sentiments when he twitted that: chibange_b @chibange_b Follow yes we can stop and start producing, much of the things we import are luxuries @hash4sho @263chat @mgcininyoni #$topXENOPHOBIA In a direct criticism to the xenophobic attacks shey tweeted that:
@263Chat this was rather unfortunate. the attacks are steadily intensifying despite the said ministerial intervention.SA should just stop it — shey (@panasheila) April 14, 2015
Ricky Marima urged Zimbabweans to stage a demonstration at the South African Embassy.
.@shingimangoma with the little I know about it, yes. personally I’d support a march on the SA embassy to present a #XenophobicSA petition.
— ArmyOfOne (@RickyEMarima) April 15, 2015
The civil society has however proposed to stage a peaceful demonstration at the South African embassy complex as reflected by Dr Pedzisayi Ruhanya’s tweet.
A massive demonstration at the South African Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe on Friday at 12pm is not a bad idea — Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) April 15, 2015
Writing on his Twitter account, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo blasted the international community for turning a blind eye on the xenophobic attacks.
#XenophobiaMustEnd the silence of so-called international community on xenophobic attacks in SA is deafening! Why? #AfrophobiainSAMustEnd
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) April 15, 2015
While Malawi is currently in discussions with South Africa to arrange temporary travel papers for stranded Malawians, the Zimbabwean government which has some estimated 3 million of its citizens residing in South Africa has done nothing to rescue its citizens. The Zimbabwean Government is also under fire from citizens over its reluctance on the issue.
@ProfJNMoyo they still haven’t spoken up about #Gukurahundi, shouldn’t hold our breath on# xenophobia — Sammie Jay (@unitedisforme) April 15, 2015
@nmndhllovu @ProfJNMoyo I care less about what Obama says but I’m angry at the silence by AU Chairperson, SADC Chairperson and @DlaminiZuma
— ZANDA TOTO (@xandatoto) April 15, 2015
A South African citizen who spoke to 263Chat on conditions of unanimity also expressed her agony over the attacks.
South African lady living in Zim speaks on #Xenophobia
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in its statement issued today condemned the South African authorities.
“We commend South African authorities, in particular the ministry of Home Affairs and other security cluster ministries, for responding to the xenophobic attacks. We urge them, however, to urgently deploy more resources directed at protecting human life, regardless of nationality,” reads the statement.
For full comments on the discussion click – #263Chat on 14 April 2015 on #XenophobicAttacks
