An African National Congress (ANC) activist on Friday accused Zimbabwean nationals of killing South Africans in Diepsloot, Johannesburg and asked them to leave the area.
Thabang Molefe, a convener of ANCYL structures, made the call while addressing journalists in Diepsloot, a day after the brutal murder of Elvis Moyo, a Zimbabwean national, by vigilantes. Said Molefe:
I represent young people in this community. It is the young people that are asking why are you allowing these Zimbabweans to kill us. We are not joking here.
We have invited the minister here. Zimbabweans must leave once and for all. We are saying that South Africans must start walking around with ID documents.
We are calling for operation stop, search and arrest. Police must randomly search [and ask] who are you, where are you from, where is your documentation…That is how we want it in Diepsloot.
Diepsloot residents blamed foreign nationals for the high levels of crimes such as armed robberies and murder in the area.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Human Rights, a Johannesburg-based organisation that focuses on human rights issues across SA, said it had started to receive requests from migrants in Diepsloot who want help to return to their countries.
Sarah Motha, the foundation’s programme director for vulnerable groups, claimed that dozens of immigrants have already left Diepsloot for their safety. She said:
There’s a high level of fear in people who have been living in Diepsloot as immigrants.
Since the acts of violence started some have relocated while some are asking to be repatriated to their home countries.
We have met with other civic organisations today to map out how we can intervene and get help in terms of evacuating those that want to be evacuated [from Diepsloot].
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Minister of Police Bheki Cele were in Diepsloot, to find a lasting solution to the challenges that resulted in violent protests this week.