Johannesburg - Diplomatic relations with South Africa have not been affected by recent attacks on foreign nationals, three African ambassadors said on Friday.
“I can assure you that relations between Burundi and South Africa remain strong and are not affected by recent events here,” said ambassador Isaie Ntirizoshira at a media briefing with Gauteng police management and deputy minister of police, Maggie Sotyu in Alexandra.
Burundi supported South Africa in its efforts to curb the attacks, he said.
Sotyu and her police team and the ambassadors were due to hold an imbizo and speak to Alexandra residents at the local stadium.
Nigeria’s ambassador MN Cobham said posts on social media and photos posted caused anxiety in Nigeria. “These posts went viral and although most of them were fabricated, caused anxiety back home. We are however happy with South Africa’s efforts to stop this. We also make use of the police 24-hour line to report any acts or information we come across.”
The attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of shops started three weeks ago in Isipingo, Durban. The attacks have so far claimed seven lives, and left thousands of foreigners displaced. More than 300 people have been arrested.
The Kenyan government was concerned about its citizen’s safety in the country, said Kenyan High Commissioner to South Africa, Samuel Wamwayi. “We actually thought of safeguarding Kenyans and housing them is shelters as the attacks continued. We are happy that government moved swiftly to secure fellow Africans and help repatriate some of them. Our relations with the government of South Africa remains in place.”
ANA