Foreign nationals not uninvolved in crime - Jacob Zuma

Source: Politics Web, 26/02/2017

President calls on citizens and non-citizens to exercise restraint,
unite against criminality


President Jacob Zuma is to champion the fight against crime in order
to promote safer and more stable communities, in light of several
complaints from communities about drug trafficking and abuse and other
serious crimes which cause fear among many residents in the
country.


The situation has become more serious in light of current threats of
violence and acts of intimidation and destruction of property directed
at non-nationals living in South Africa. Residents in some communities
blame non-nationals for the escalating crimes especially drug
trafficking. Violence erupted in Pretoria West and Rosettenville, and
there are simmering tensions that have been reported in other areas
including the dissemination of hate speech and threatening messages
via social media.


The President has strongly condemned the acts of violence and calls
upon citizens and non-nationals to exercise restraint, unite against
crime and work with the authorities to bring perpetrators of crime to
book.


The President visited Nyanga in Cape Town two weeks ago, one of the
serious crime hotspots in the country. He will be visiting other
communities as well to obtain a first-hand account of problems faced
on the ground with respect to crime.


On Wednesday (22 February) the President met with the Justice, Crime
Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster Ministers to discuss a strategy
to respond to crime more vigorously in the many hotspots around the
country.


The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration has also been directed to
look into the threats of violence and ensure that programmes agreed to
since the last outbreak of violence, which are being implemented, are
communicated to the public.


“The security Ministers briefed me about recent incidents of violence
and destruction of property as well as rumours of impending violence
directed at non-nationals circulating on social media. There are real
concerns by South Africans in many areas about serious crime that is
destabilising communities. In Nyanga ambulances cannot even enter the
township to fetch sick people to take them to hospital. Delivery vans
have to be escorted by police when entering the townships. People fear
even walking around the townships. I impressed upon the Ministers that
action is needed in Nyanga and other areas. Our people cannot continue
to live in fear like this,” said the President.


The President said government has also noted the complaints of South
Africans about companies that employ illegal immigrants. He reiterated
that the Department of Home Affairs will be cracking down on all
employers who continue with this practice, which is dangerous as it
pits locals against non-nationals.


President Zuma also appealed to citizens not to blame all criminal
activities on non-nationals.


“Many citizens of other countries living in South Africa are law
abiding and contribute to the economy of the country positively. It is
wrong to brandish all non-nationals as drug dealers or human
traffickers. Let us isolate those who commit such crimes and work with
government to have them arrested, without stereotyping and causing
harm to innocent people. In particular, Government requests
communities to assist the police with information relating to
complaints that some non-nationals may be involved in selling drugs,
human trafficking and other serious crimes. This will enable law
enforcement agencies to act against such lawlessness regardless of the
place of origin of the perpetrators”.


President Zuma reiterated his assertion that South Africans are not
xenophobic and that the problems they are raising with respect to
crime will be attended to.


The President has also urged unity among citizens and non-nationals to
fight crime.


“The threats and counter-threats on social media must stop. All must
exercise restraint, respect the laws of the land and work together to
fight crime and build safer communities,” said the President.