Press Statement For Immediate Release.

11th April 08

Another Xenophobic attack in Johannesburg

We are appalled by the xenophobic attack in Diepsloot. The attack started at 7.30am this morning. At least thirty shacks were destroyed and more than 100 people displaced. We are further aggravated by reports that there was a meeting with the police, a councillor and the community last night in which the community openly declared the attack would follow. In response, several hours after the attacks had started the police eventually came to disperse the crowd. When they arrived they were seen laughing and apparently made 20 arrests but of Zimbabweans not of South Africans. The police have completely disregarded the rights of immigrants. They arrested Zimbabweans for being undocumented, a situation which the refugee centres have forced Zimbabweans into through their lack of service delivery. We are outraged by the reports of South Africans shouting that they must go back and vote. The South African government must act on the Zimbabwean situation and South Africa must accept and document the influx until the situation is resolved in Zimbabwe. We have stated we will protest about the lack of involvement by the South African government in the Zimbabwean crisis and will mobilise our masses, along with civic movements, community organisations and human right activist movements within 2weeks.

Maxwell Munemo (Diepsloot)

0823685251

Braam Hanekom (PASSOP)

0832561140