POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula angered many Zimbabweans when he claimed that former soldiers from that country were responsible for crime in Mzansi.
Since his remarks on Tuesday, he has received sharp criticism from the Zimbabwean ambassador and opposition parties.
BUT SPEAKING TO DAILY SUN YESTERDAY, MBALULA INSISTED HE HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG!
The African News Agency reported that Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa, Isaac Moyo, said his government did not support criminality but Mbalula’s remarks were unacceptable.
“We cannot accept the many ill-informed elements in Mbalula’s statement and we deeply regret that they were made without due regard to their accuracy,” he was quoted as saying.
Zimbabwean Security Minister Kembo Mohadi said Mbalula should have made his complaints through official channels.
Mohadi yesterday told Zimbabwean state media that Mbalula’s comments were uncalled for.
He said the police minister should rather have engaged with his Zimbabwean counterpart,
Ignatius Chombo, at an inter-governmental meeting.
Speaking to the SunTeam yesterday, Mbalula said he didn’t violate any diplomatic rules and his statement was clear.
“Indeed, some ex-soldiers are crossing the border to do crime in this country.”
The minister insisted his remarks were not meant to cause anyone harm.
“There are people who come here from Zimbabwe and they cross the line here.
“They run away from the military in Zimbabwe and promote criminality here in South Africa,” he said.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, he said Zimbabwean ex-soldiers were robbing banks in Mzansi.
“They are running away from Uncle Bob. In Zimbabwe, once you are a soldier, it’s for life.
“You can’t get out of it,” he told reporters.
“To get out of it they run to South Africa and come here to rob banks.”
However, he did make it clear that most Zimbabweans in South Africa were honest and hard- working.
“If there is anything President Robert Mugabe did well, it was to educate his people.
“The people working in your kitchens are doctors.
“They are more educated than you.”
Meanwhile, Gauteng DA leader John Moodey yesterday said his party believed Mbalula’s comments were promoting hatred.
He said the minister’s comments were the result of bad leadership and it looked as if the ANC government had forgotten about its vision for a united Africa.
Moodey said Mbalula should stop using hatred of foreigners to explain crime, instead of focusing on securing the borders.
“Mbalula needs to work with the security cluster to boost border security so South Africa can properly regulate immigration.”
Although the DA said it would be complaining to the Human Rights Commission, it is unclear whether the commission had received any complaint.
