Two Zimbabweans shot in SA, army goes in Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini (top). An armed gang member fatally stabs Emmanuel Sithole, a Mozambican national, in Alexandra township near Johannesburg recently

Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini (top). An armed gang member fatally stabs Emmanuel Sithole, a Mozambican national, in Alexandra township near Johannesburg recently

From Thupeyo Muleya in Durban, South Africa
TWO Zimbabweans are battling for life at Johannesburg Hospital after they were shot by South African gangs in Alexandra township on Monday night in fresh xenophobia attacks.

The shooting and the killing of a Mozambican national in the same area last Saturday forced the South African government yesterday to deploy soldiers to volatile areas in Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal.

Emanuel Sithole, a Mozambican, was stabbed to death by four South African men over the weekend in broad daylight while other residents watched helplessly. The four suspected killers, Sifundi Mzimela, Ayanda Sibiya, Sizwe Mngomezulu and Mthinti Bhengu appeared in court yesterday.

At least seven people have been killed in the ongoing anti-immigrant violence.

Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa, Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, confirmed the shooting incident yesterday.

He identified the victims as Proud Ncube, 33, and Innocent Sibanda, 33. The two were shot in their necks while Ncube was also shot in the leg.

“They were shot and injured by a mob of South Africans on Monday night and were rushed to Johannesburg Hospital. The two are in a stable condition. This incident and the murder of a Mozambican have resulted in the host government deploying soldiers to assist the police in the area,” he said.

“As the Zimbabwean consulate, we appreciate the efforts by the SA government to stop the attacks on immigrants. We’re very hopeful that they will be able to maintain law and order.”

He said the shooting incident was unfortunate and he was confident that the perpetrators will be brought to book.

Mukonoweshuro said they were expecting to repatriate the second batch of Zimbabweans who were displaced during xenophobia attacks in Durban today.

“The Home affairs department will finalise the processes leading to the repatriation of our people tomorrow and we expect to start loading the buses in the afternoon. We’re pushing hard and working extra hours to ensure that the whole process is completed before Friday,” he said.

More than 360 Zimbabweans are still being kept at Phoenix Camp in Durban North pending their repatriation.

The first batch of returning Zimbabweans arrived in Beitbridge on Sunday evening in a convoy of six buses and a haulage truck hired by the Zimbabwean government.

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