President Cyril Ramaphosa says criminals engaging in
xenophobic violence are hurting South Africa's development prospects.
"Today, our economy and society benefits from our
extensive trade and investment relations with partners on our continent and
many of our continental compatriots live in South Africa, where they are making
important contributions to the development of our country," said Ramaphosa
in a statement on Monday.
"African development depends on the increased movement
of people, goods and services between different countries for all of us to
benefit. We will not allow criminals to set back these processes."
Ramaphosa condemned violence against foreigners in South
Africa and called on law enforcement agencies and law-abiding citizens to
identify perpetrators and bring them to book.
His comments come as international relations and
co-operation minister Lindiwe Sisulu and police minister Bheki Cele meet with
the African diplomatic community in South Africa to discuss the current spate
of violence against foreigners and their properties.
Ramaphosa said there can be no justification for
criminality and that if communities are disaffected for any reason, their
grievances must be raised with the government and within the confines of the
law.
Recent violence against Malawians and other foreigners in
KwaZulu-Natal was particularly regrettable on the eve of Freedom Month, which
in 2019 commemorates 25 years of freedom, he said.
"As South Africans, we owe our freedom to the
solidarity and support given to our liberation struggle by people across our
continent and around the world."
Ramaphosa's comments on Monday elaborated on remarks he
made at a recent presidential dinner in Durban, where he said South Africans
must not present themselves as intolerant people. Sowetan
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