The IFP calls for an urgent summit to deal with the current crisis and to establish the root causes of the attacks, so as to find immediate solutions as well as long-term policies to deal with and eradicate xenophobia.
“Now that His Majesty the King has spoken it is important that efforts to end the violence are intensified. We recommend that the Inter Ministerial Task Team appointed by President Zuma should include the following in the draft plan for the summit: Study of the root causes and measures taken at national level; setting up of an independent group of experts; specific measures to ensure effective communication and implementation of the plan. The Task Team must also include political parties in any plans to diffuse xenophobia,” said IFP National Chairperson, Mr Blessed Gwala.
“We further recommend that existing national and international legal instruments to combat such acts must be filtered down to people on the ground in all communities. To win the struggle against xenophobia, communities must learn to live in unity instead of intolerance. Organising sporting events with mixed teams made up of local people and foreign nationals will also go a long way in ensuring social cohesion,” concluded Mr Gwala.
The IFP stresses that perpetrators must be seen to be apprehended speedily and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We further urge government to speed up investigations into the new phenomenon of people using social media to instil fear through fictitious images and messages.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala, IFP National Chairperson, 078 290 5842
For Media Enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase, IFP KZN Legislature Media Officer, 073 024 5675