Statement by
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP
Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party
As news of race-based violence continues to emerge from Phoenix and surrounding areas, we plead for order to be restored and justice to prevail.
The IFP extends our deepest condolences to the grief-stricken families who have lost loved ones to this senseless eruption of violence. We stand with the many who anxiously seek to locate family members, and with those who are waiting to identify the deceased. This is absolutely heart-wrenching and we feel their trauma as our own.
I call on every member of the community who may have information that could lead to arrests and prevent further violence, to come forward and cooperate with the Police. If anyone stands by silently, knowing that such crimes are being committed by people they know, they will be complicit in the bloodshed.
It is urgent that the entire community not be tainted in the public eye by the actions of rogue individuals. But the only ones who can prevent this from happening are the people of Phoenix themselves.
The IFP urges the Police to launch a speedy investigation, in order to identify and arrest the perpetrators. Those who have committed murder and attacked innocent people must face the full might of the law. Vigilantism is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
Please, stop this senseless brutality. It can only lead to destruction and cannot solve any perceived problems. We need to stop the violence.