Fears of xenophobic violence in Pretoria
Circular calls for march against immigrants
A pamphlet circulating in Mamelodi calling for a march against foreign nationals has triggered fears of a new outbreak of xenophobic violence.
The circular, signed by “Mamelodi concerned residence” and calling for a march in Feburary, is also being distributed on social media.
“We have to start packing our bags. We can’t risk it. This time around they may not leave any of us alive,” said Mebo, a Zimbabwean immigrant living in Mamelodi. “Why do they hate us so much? Is South Africa the first country to have immigrants? We are all Africans. We need each other as Africans.”
Oupa Mtshweni, whose name appears on the circular, said the demonstration would be “peaceful”.
“We are not planning to be violent,” he told GroundUp. “I don’t see why this should be a problem to anyone. This has nothing to do with xenophobia.”
But immigrants living in Pretoria are not convinced and are circulating warnings to each other on social media.Â
Family members outside South Africa are also warning their relatives to be careful.
“I received a warning message from my mother who resides in the UK. She is worried and even encouraged me to go and suffer back home rather than die here in South Africa, said Monalisa, a Nigerian hair salon owner.
Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Gauteng, said the matter had not been reported to SAPS. She said police would investigate.
Next: Khayelitsha race honours runner killed in accident
Previous: TVET student protests are the result of years of neglect
Letters
Dear Editor
Some people are really filled with hatred. These are our brothers and sisters! Yes, there are those who commit crimes, but who are they collaborating with? This march won’t be peaceful as they claim. Corruption is rife and yet we turn a blind eye - let us march for the right reasons not give voice to hooligans. I’ve experienced burglary at my previous home in Mamelodi several times, committed by my South African brothers. I watched as the community turned a blind eye, my goods even sold at times to my neighbours.
Surely, we can do better. There are lots of South Africans working in those countries they mention (do your research). I have seen my fellow Africans treating me far better than my fellow South Africans at the saloons, shopping malls, restaurants etc. Stop the hating and let’s find ways to work together, we can learn a lot from each other.
Dear Editor
I am not well informed on the process of arranging a legal protest but should the organisers of a protest obtain a permit or something similar to conduct a protest in a public space? Surely if the correct procedures are followed, the organisers of this protest would be denied permission to legally protest this cause?
Dear Editor
It is a lie to say this march won't be violent, it is not the first time South Africans have harmed foreigners. In other countries immigrants are welcomed and are not subjected to violence. We need to remember that we are all Africans.
Dear Editor
To my sisters and brothers..
South Africa is must be home for all Africans. Let us unite to fight crime, poverty and hunger. We must love each other, as our former president Mandela taught us.
Ubuntu ma uqubhekhele phambili.
Dear Editor
It is simply shocking that this march has been given the green light. They promise to be peaceful but we know that blood is going to be shed and lives will be lost and yet officials seem cool with it.
Not all foreigners are criminals and are illegal. Why cant be there a system in place to weed out all criminals and illegals without just targeting everyone? Why does the process involve looting. Arent the looters themselves commiting an act of crime which they are said to be marching against. The hypocrisy is just shocking.
Praying for peace and safety of our fellow African brothers and sisters
© 2017 GroundUp. 
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and GroundUp, and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.