Tag: Bishar Isaack

South Africans ‘desensitised to crime and xenophobic attacks’

Victim of xenophobic attack by South African blacks in 2008

South Africans are becoming desensitised to crime and xenophobic attacks, the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria said on Thursday.

“We fear that xenophobic attacks are becoming regular phenomena, and the South African population is becoming increasingly desensitised,” it said in a statement.

“While the law prohibits heinous deeds such as sexual and violent crimes, the South African population has grown apathetic to these issues with little hope of them being addressed.”

It called on all tertiary institutions to address the issue.

“We need to start formulating plans on how to incorporate the issue of xenophobia into syllabi, create better awareness around xenophobia, and disseminate information about the scope and protection of the South African Constitution.”

Last month, police reported unrest at Diepsloot after Somali businessman Bishar Isaack was arrested for allegedly shooting dead two men, believed to be Zimbabweans, outside his shop after they allegedly tried to rob him.

Afterwards, residents stoned the shop and looted it and other businesses in the area.

Police arrested 45 people for public violence, housebreaking, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

In the same month, more than 90 people were arrested for protest-related crimes in Evaton, Orange Farm, and Sebokeng, south of Johannesburg.

Complaints of looting and vandalism of spaza shops belonging to foreigners were reported.

Violence also flared in Port Elizabeth, in Eastern Cape, where Somali shop owners were targeted.

A wave of xenophobic violence in 2008 left at least 60 foreigners dead.

The centre said South Africans needed to remember that the leaders of the anti-apartheid struggle, including President Jacob Zuma, often took refuge in neighbouring countries.

“President… Zuma should therefore understand the importance of supporting people that fled their countries as a result of intolerable situations better than most,” it said.

“It is of the utmost importance that President Zuma seize this opportunity to convey a message… about the important role that refugees played in the anti-apartheid movement, and reiterate South Africa’s obligation to support refugees from other African states.” – Sapa

Diepsloot calm yesterday after reports of xenophobic violence

Diepsloot
Diepsloot, a black township north of Johannesburg.

The situation in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg was calm on Saturday following reports of shop lootings and public violence during the last week, police said.

“It has been quiet, there were no incidents reported,” said Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said.

On Monday police arrested 45 people for public violence, housebreaking, and possession of unlicensed firearms.

The unrest started on Sunday evening after Somali businessman, Bishar Isaack, was arrested for allegedly shooting dead two men, believed to be Zimbabweans, outside his shop.

Issack appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Dlamini said Isaack, 39, appeared on charges of murder.

The case was postponed to June 4, when he was expected to bring a formal bail application.

After the shooting on Sunday, local residents gathered in front of Isaack’s shop, threw stones, and looted his business.

Police dispersed the crowd, but other shops were then looted. Several local businessmen then removed their goods and locked their shops.

Nine people were arrested for public violence and possession of suspected stolen goods. They appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and the case was withdrawn, Dlamini said.

In the Vaal, police received around 100 complaints about looting at both local and foreign-owned shops, following service delivery protests last week.

On Tuesday, political parties bemoaned the violence.

The African National Congress said the attacks had tarnished the country’s image.

“South Africa is a country of integrity and honour internationally, but the recent attacks on our brothers and sisters have put a dent in our image as a peaceful nation,” said ANC Gauteng spokesman Dumisa Ntuli.

The Democratic Alliance said the unrest could be blamed on a lack of employment and poverty.

“As resources become scarcer, so the competition for jobs, housing, and basic services increases. This, in turn, fuels feelings of deprivation on the part of South Africans,” said DA spokesman Mmusi Maimane.

The Inkatha Freedom Party said the attacks were sickening.

“We view the attacks… as sickening and ridiculous, especially when one remembers that 50 years ago all Africans committed themselves to building a new continent of hope, with the concept of ubuntu as a key hallmark,” said IFP Gauteng chairman Nhlanhla Msimango.

Cope spokesman Mluleki George also condemned the violence.

“The attacks are nothing but a cowardly and criminal act which only takes society backwards,” he said.

The SA Communist Party said it was shocked at the violence.

“We call upon our communities, activists and leaders of fraternal and revolutionary movements to intervene decisively in the affected communities, and work in partnership with law enforcement agencies to ensure that these barbaric, extremely backward and inhuman acts are brought to an immediate end,” said SACP spokesman Lucian Segami.

The Gauteng provincial government added its voice to the condemnation.

“These are clear acts of opportunistic crimes on a vulnerable group of Gauteng residents by a minority of hooligans living in our communities,” said premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

“We call upon all our people across the province to refrain from taking part in (the) attacks that we have seen. We must all ensure that a repeat of 2008 does not happen,” she said.

She was referring to a string of xenophobic attacks which erupted in the country five years ago. – Sapa