24 October 2001
The South African Communist Party (SACP) condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on Zimbabwean nationals which took place in Zandspruit (Honeydew, north of Johannesburg) on Monday. According to press reports the attack was carried out during a conflict between South African and Zimbabwean residents of the Zandspruit informal settlement.
Some of the speakers quoted in the media have expressed highly inflammatory xenophobic statements against non-nationals in our country. We call on the people of Zandspruit to restrain from the actions of the last few days and to follow the process led by the Mayor of Johannesburg, Comrade Amos Masondo.
Unemployment and poverty, as the SACP has stated on numerous occasions, are the most serious crisis afflicting our society. They are not caused by the influx of poor working people from neighbouring countries or from elsewhere in Africa. We need sustainable and coherent solutions to unemployment and poverty these currently are a subject of constructive debate and discussion in our country.
South Africans, more than most, have benefited hugely from the support and solidarity of poor countries in our region and in our continent. The peoples of our region are also the victims of apartheid war and destabilisation. To unleash popular frustrations against the poor of other countries is a dangerous and diversionary ploy that must be condemned by all. The recent turmoil in Rwanda and Burundi should remind us of how dangerous demagogic xenophobic mobilisation can be.
CONTACT
Mazibuko Kanyiso Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel - 011 339 3621
Fax - 011 339 4244
Cell - 083 651 0271
Email - sacp1@wn.apc.org