Johannesburg - Members of a local DA constituency walked from central Joburg to Hillbrow on Wednesday to demonstrate against xenophobia and to support police efforts to curb it.
The small procession of about 30 people made its way from Park station to Hillbrow police station, holding signs denouncing the killings of foreigners in South Africa.
“We’re not going to extend our arm to who is legal or not legal,” said councillor Bongani Nkwanyana, chairman of the Joburg central constituency.
“Even if someone is illegal it does not mean they deserve to be killed,” he said.
“No one deserves that.”
The group marched in silence to express their sadness over the deaths.
Although Nkwanyana acknowledged that the police had already done a lot to try to curb xenophobia, he urged them to do more.
He also felt that politicians were not doing enough to condemn the xenophobic attacks.
“Every individual must stand at a podium and say ‘this is not in my name’,” said Nkwanyana.
In Hillbrow, party leaders spoke briefly, emphasising the party’s stance against discrimination, before the group dispersed.
Locals watched the group as they passed, a few stopping to hear the speeches.
One man linked xenophobia to illegal immigration and unemployment, blaming the ANC government, which he said did not take care of its people.
Another local said he thought the violence was more related to a desire to loot rather than genuine xenophobia.
Councillor Nazley Sharif, who took part in the march, said she hoped to see South Africa tackle the deeper issues of unemployment that she said were not high on the government’s to-do list.
“We have to remember people don’t just get up and decide to be violent,” she said.
“South Africa doesn’t have opportunities for young people,” said Sharif.
The Star