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Pamela Shumba, Senior Reporter 

THE Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) yesterday condemned the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa and called for a lasting solution to end the violence.

Five people have been killed and several others injured following a spate of violent attacks that broke out in Johannesburg city on Sunday and later spread to some parts of Pretoria.

More than 50 foreign-owned shops were either looted or burnt while several cars were torched. 

The attacks have also been condemned by the African Union and several African governments.

Sadc executive secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, yesterday described the xenophobia attacks as inhuman.

“Sadc condemns in the strongest possible terms the inhuman violence against foreign fellow Africans in South Africa, the looting and destruction of property.

“Sadc calls for a lasting solution,” she said.

President Mnangagwa also condemned the attacks, saying he was closely monitoring the situation and communicating with his counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, in South Africa.

“We strongly condemn all forms of hate- driven violence and applaud the South African authorities for the swift way they have responded. 

“We’re closely following the situation and I’m in regular contact with my South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa,” said President Mnangagwa.

In a statement, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa urged Zimbabweans living in South Africa and those travelling to that country to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all Zimbabweans and other African nationals who suffered from the senseless orgy of violence in South Africa.

“The Government and the people of Zimbabwe condemn the barbaric acts, which clearly offends the spirit of African unity and solidarity as espoused by the African Union founding fathers in Addis Ababa in 1963,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the despicable attacks come at an inopportune time when African leaders had just launched a Continent -wide Africa Free Trade Area.

“The despicable attacks come at an inopportune time when African leaders have just launched a continent wide Africa Free Trade Area, which has opened exciting economic opportunities that facilitate free movement of capital, labour, goods and services.

“We applaud the South African Government for their swift intervention to end the violence and bring the perpetrators to book. All Zimbabweans living in South Africa and those travelling to the country are urged to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety,” she said.

In an act of retaliation, demonstrators in Zambia and Nigeria yesterday ransacked stores operated by Shoprite, the telecoms giant MTN and other South African firms.

Media reports from the two countries say the demonstrators looted the shops and vandalised them in Lusaka, Zambia and in a number of Nigerian cities.

The demonstrators reportedly said they were avenging the death of their citizens in South Africa.

In Nigeria, the demonstrators clashed with police as they burnt tyres and hurled stones outside the South African shops.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday that he was sending a special envoy to meet President Ramaphosa to secure the safety of Nigerian citizens and their property.

South African police yesterday said the arrest of people involved in violence had risen to 289 since Sunday with the situation improving. 

Police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, however, expressed concern about the circulation of fake news on social media, highlighting a spectrum of violence that incites and instills fear among the residents of Gauteng. 

“Last night in Ekurhuleni 100 people were arrested when police responded to several incidents of public violence and looting. Fifty four suspects were surrounded by police in Tokoza and Katlehong while they were inside two businesses stealing furniture and groceries. 

“Others were arrested for public violence in Buhle Park, Germiston and Elsburg for public violence. In total, 289 people have been arrested so far,” said Col Dlamini.

He said reports that some schools were burnt down while school children were kidnapped in Katlehong were false.

“This is a way of inciting violence and instilling fear among the Gauteng communities. 

“The abuse of social media has worsened the recent incidents of violence and looting of businesses in some parts of Gauteng and we strongly condemn it as it seeks to undermine the authority of the state,” said Col Dlamini.

In 2008 about 60 people were killed and more than 50 000 were forced out of their homes while in 2015 seven people were killed in similar attacks now dubbed “Afrophobia”.

Migrants are being accused of competing for scarce jobs and Government services with locals. — @pamelashumba1.