The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has voiced deep concern over the continued outbreaks of xenophobia that have been occurring around South Africa.
The xenophobic attacks in KwaZulu-Natal that have so far claimed several lives and left thousands displaced, on Tuesday spread to the Durban CBD.
Several businesses in the Durban CBD which are owned by foreign nationals were this week looted.
“They took all the stock that I had recently ordered,” said Lydia Moyo, a Zimbabwean national who owns a stall at the workshop flea market.
The attacks in the Durban workshop, which started at around noon, later spread to Russel Street, Grey Street and many other areas around the CBD.
At about 13H00, almost all businesses owned by foreign nationals in the CBD had been closed.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Major Thulane, confirmed that mobs had attacked several foreign-owned shops in the Durban CBD.
“Police are currently attending to the situation,” he said.
Vendors on Joseph Nduli and West streets packed their goods this afternoon, fearing their produce might also be taken.
This after a number of shops closed earlier today as looters started aiming for foreign-owned shops on Dr Goonam and Ingcuce roads in Durban. Police and Metro police are on the scene.
In KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, shops belonging to foreign nationals were looted and some burnt down.
Police said some of the roads were completely blockaded with burning tyres and stones.
More than 30 people have been arrested in KwaMashu since the incidents of violence against foreign nationals last week.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UNHCR’s Regional Representative for Southern Africa, said: “UNHCR is glad to see the increased police presence and the efforts being made to try to contain the violence and looting to date and encourages them to continue with their efforts to restore peace in the affected areas.”
The attacks that started in Isipingo, south of Durban, two weeks ago, have so far claimed four lives, left several injured and displaced more than 2000 foreign nationals.
In Umlazi, south of Durban, one Ethiopian national was killed and another badly injured on Friday after mobs set their shops alight while the two were inside.This after mobs claiming to be carrying out Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s instructions for foreign nationals to be driven back to their countries,unleashed a wave of violence around the city, looting foreign- owned shops and evicting them from their homes.
UNHCR staff and partners have been receiving reports from refugees all around the country that they are afraid to go about their daily lives for fear of being attacked.
– By Clive Ndou, Citizen Reporter and Xinhua