OVER the years, South Africans had blamed foreigners for a large number of problems facing the country.
But according to Thifulufheli Sinthumule, director of the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa, immigrants were not responsible for Mzansi’s problems in areas such as housing, health and unemployment.
He was speaking at a discussion on xenophobia hosted by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation at Gold Reef City, south of Joburg, on Friday.
Sinthumule said he was working on arranging a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss attacks on foreigners.
He said government didn’t have a clear plan to include migrants in South African society.
He said many schools still denied foreigners’ kids education and all foreigners were called Zimbabweans or Pakistanis in kasis.
“The media and public figures are responsible for unfairly portraying migrants as criminals who’re overwhelming the country. These groups of people need to be educated and held accountable. Only when justice is served will it minimise criminal activities,” he said.
Jean Bwasa of the Right to Live Organisation, who’s originally from the DRC, said Home Affairs officials were horrible to immigrants.
“One woman was told her documents were smelly by the officials and she was declined help,” he said.
David Magagula, leader of the Mthokazi Liberation Front, said: “South Africa is still a peaceful country compared to other countries that are denying us.”
But Lute Moyo, who moved to Mzansi from Zimbabwe in 1996, urged foreigners to be grateful.
“South African struggle fighters went to other African countries while fighting for liberation but didn’t stay long. They fought and came back. All countries should do the same.”
