SA Xenophobic Attacks: "Come Back, Govt Will Support You Depending On Your Needs"

Information secretary, Nick Mangwana, on Tuesday said Zimbabweans facing hardships in neighbouring South Africa were free to come back home where they will be supported by the government.

He made the remarks while addressing a media briefing on International Multilateralism for Diplomacy and Peace in Bulawayo. Mangwana said:

So again in terms of their needs, it depends on their needs. We can’t say they will come and get job priorities because already people here are looking for jobs. However, if they face any hardships or they have any needs, the government will support them as much as it can through the social service part.

Mangwana’s statement comes when Zimbabwean immigrants are facing increasing attacks from vigilante groups in South African townships for allegedly stealing jobs from locals there.

Reports indicate that Zimbabweans, fearing further xenophobic violence and facing an uncertain future after Pretoria announced plans to discontinue the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit, have started taking their valuables back home.

The xenophobic attacks recently claimed the life of a Zimbabwean national, Elvis Nyathi, who was beaten and burned alive by a mob outside his home in Diepsloot allegedly for failing to produce identity documents. 

Zimbabwean immigrants accuse South African Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi of fueling xenophobic attacks after he was quoted saying he would only retire when undocumented foreigners were locked away.

More: NewsDay Zimbabwe