Committee to probe xenophobic violence

Police stop and search possible suspects in the vacinity of the Jeppe hostel. There had been a fresh spate of Xenophobic related attacks and looting of shops, including the torching of numerous cars by the hostel dwellers throughout the week. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 17/04/2015

Police stop and search possible suspects in the vacinity of the Jeppe hostel. There had been a fresh spate of Xenophobic related attacks and looting of shops, including the torching of numerous cars by the hostel dwellers throughout the week. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 17/04/2015

Published May 6, 2015

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Parliament - The National Assembly on Wednesday approved the establishment of an ad committee to look into the wave of xenophobic violence that claimed at least seven lives last month.

The 11-member multi-party committee will “inquire into the incidence of violence against foreign nationals and related matters” and report back to the National Assembly by August 30.

It will incorporate into its work the findings of a government task team that investigated a spate of xenophobic attacks several years ago.

The proposal to set up the committee was moved by ANC chief whip Stone Sizani.

On Wednesday afternoon, President Jacob Zuma told reporters after a meeting with his Namibian counterpart that he believed government had managed to contain the violence against foreigners that spread from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng last month and prompted him to deploy the army to flash points.

According to Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, nearly 4 000 African immigrants have been repatriated at their own request since the violence erupted.

ANA

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