Peace march marred by violence

Published Apr 17, 2015

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Durban - Thousands of people joined the KwaZulu-Natal government in denouncing the xenophobic attacks sweeping Durban in a peace march that later descended into chaos when police clashed with a group demanding to be addressed by King Goodwill Zwelithini.

Tension threatened to bubble over before the march started, with Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) veterans briefly exchanging blows with a group wearing eThekwini municipality gear.

This was after the group, wearing eThekwini work uniforms, booed while KZN Community Safety MEC Willies Mchunu addressed about 5 000 people.

Clergymen, political leaders and celebrities united to denounce the violence which has now plagued the city for more than two weeks. Some of those present included First Lady Thobeka Madiba Zuma, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu, Minister of State Security David Mahlobo and leaders from various political organisations.

Thobeka Zuma called on South Africans to exercise ubuntu and stop the attacks on foreigners as they were embarrassing SA.

“Put down your weapons and allow for a dialogue on issues that concern you. Violence is not the solution,” she said.

Mchunu and Mahlobo offered their condolences to the families of the five who had died in the attacks. They also signed a pledge committing the government to doing everything in its power to restore stability and ensure foreigners were safely reintegrated in their communities.

“We would like to applaud other African nations for the role their countries played in the liberation of South Africa. We sincerely apologise to all foreign nationals in the country for the attacks they have suffered at the hands of criminals,” read Mchunu from the pledge.

He was applauded by the crowd when he promised security would be tightened, especially in Durban, as he said tip-offs had been received about some groups that wanted violence to continue.

Only a handful of foreigners attended, but at the Currie’s Fountain stadium the flags of various African countries fluttered.

In stark contrast to this colourful scene, the purpose of the march seemed to have escaped some locals, who insisted foreigners must go as “the king has spoken”.

 

Groups of bystanders along the route shouted “abahambe” (foreigners must go).

Shops in Durban’s main streets were locked up and hawkers abandoned their trading before the march reached Durban.

One of the groups calling for the foreigners to go back home had hired a taxi from Umlazi to come and disrupt the march.

Police battled to contain pockets of troublemakers intent on disrupting the march and demanding to be heard by leaders. But the peace marchers were not deterred. They urged onlookers to join in, chanting “wozani, wozani” (join us).

There were also reports of clashes in and around Durban CBD in the wake of the march.

According to reports, police battled agitators for about three hours using water cannon, rubber bullets and stun grenades.

The chaos unfolded in the CBD about a kilometre from the City Hall where political leaders called the march a success.

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said nine pro-xenophobia people were arrested for illegal gathering and other offences.

But despite the antagonism, the march’s numbers swelled as others joined in, swelling the peace protest to a police-estimated 10 000 people by the time it reached the city centre.

Jabulani Vezi of Umgababa said: “I woke up at 4am and went to the mountain to pray for peace in our province, then I took a taxi to make sure that I was here on time.”

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* In Pietermaritzburg, foreigners sought refuge at a mosque, fearing for their lives after being chased from their homes on Wednesday night since no refugee camps had been set up in the capital city.

By Thursday afternoon, more were arriving, afraid of what the night might bring. Many said they were afraid to go to work and back to their houses.

A member of the mosque, who did not wish to be named, said most of the foreigners who sought refuge lived in the city or informal areas.

He said about 400 people had arrived at the mosque on Wednesday night. They were accommodated in the hall and given carpets to sleep on. Muslim worshippers rallied together to provide food and blankets.

The SA Minority Rights Equality Movement also assisted with food and blankets.

On Thursday, the city remained tense because of fears of xenophobic attacks, but no attacks were reported. Police spokeswoman, Joey Jeevan also said no looting incidents had been reported.

Msunduzi mayor, Chris Ndlela, urged residents to condemn the attacks and to highlight criminal elements that have taken the opportunity to engage in criminal activities, by looting shops of the foreigners. He added that the municipality’s security department was conducting patrols and the police were on the alert.

The Mercury, The Star and ANA

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