Malawi Confirm Third Death in South Africa's Xenophobia Violence

 One more Malawian confirmed dead in South Africa's Xenophobic violence bringing total number of Malawian casualties in the ongoing bloody attacks against foreign African nationals to three (3).

Malawi Government in a statement confirms the death of the man Charles Toni aged 24 years and he hails from Chipole Village, Traditional Authority Maganga in Salima District. 

Kondwani Nankhumwa 

Information, Tourism and Culture Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa says the deceased was stabbed to death in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa on 22nd April, 2015 and was laid to rest on 23rd April, 2015.

The Malawi Government Spokesperson further says the Government of Malawi through its High Commission office in South Africa, is still trying to establish the facts surrounding the death of another Malawian reportedly run over by a moving train in South Africa.

Nankhumwa says the circumstances surrounding his death will be made available as soon government establishes more facts on the matter.

The Government of Malawi continues to repatriate Malawians who have been affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa as eight (8) more buses will arrive this Friday, 24th April, 2015 with 532 returnees.

However, the Information Minister says the buses were initially carrying 509 returnees from Durban but when they got to Beit Bridge in South Africa they came across and picked up 23 Malawians who were stranded there without proper travel documents.

"Xenophobic Attacks Tantamount to Boko Haram Acts" Malawi Human Rights Activists Threatens To Report South Africa To ICC, UN

A human rights activist and executive director for Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Timothy Mtambo says Malawi Civil Society Organisations will seek help from international organisations on human rights to investigate the Government of South Africa it fail to stop to an end the ongoing bloody attacks against African immigrants.

Mtambo and other human rights activists including politicians have on Tuesday presented a petition to South African embassy in Malawi calling the immediate halt of the Xenophobia attacks against African immigrants a bloody violence which has killed more than five people including two Malawians. The petition which was received by South African high commissioner to Malawi, Ambassador Cassandra Mbuyane Mokone has threatened boycott South African products and businesses once no concrete steps are taken to end the violence. 

In an interview, the human rights activist Timothy Mtambo said apart from action to boycott any product and services which are South African once the violence continues, Malawi CSO's will be left with no other option but also to mobilise themselves to report South African Government for atrocities being committed through its citizens to international human rights institutions like International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations (UN) And African Court of Justice and Human Rights saying South Africa is commiting crimes of the highest order.

“As civil society we will be watching, if we see that the South African Government is not handling this issue seriously we have other forums to complain to” said Mtambo who mentioned International Criminal Court saying such acts taking place in South Africa are "crimes against humanity! People have been killed” he said 

"We will mobilize ourselves to complain before ICC or United Nations (UN) which Malawi is signatory so that they can intervene and investigate the South African Government." 

Disapointed with reports of violence in South Africa, Timothy Mtambo has also branded xenophobia violence in South Africa as tantamount to Boko Haram acts, "They are both killing people so for us there is no deference and the way we condemn Boko Haram we also condemn the Xenophobia in the strongest terms.”

“What is very painful is that this is not first time for xenophobic attacks happening in South Africa, it is very shocking” he said and continued "Why is it that the government of South Africa continue dehumanizing the rights of the people in such a manner through its people?” 

"So, we want the South African government to show leadership, condemn this and make sure that justice is met. The repetition of Xenophobia shows lack of seriousness on the part of South African Government." 

Mtambo added "We citizens of SADC we would like them to make sure that people that have been victimized receive justice and those responsible be punished and xenophobia must end once for all, that should not repeat itself in the history of Africa.

Meanwhile, reports in South Africa indicates that Government is stepping up efforts in ending the violence following deployment of military to support police in Johannesburg township of Alexandra. According to News24, the South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced on Tuesday that the army will be involved in fostering peace in volatile areas. 

Reports also indicates the tribal leader for Zulu ethnic group King Goodwill Zwelithini, has distances himself from the widespread allegations that he uttered remarks which fueled the Xenophobia violence.

King Goodwill Zwelithini who is being blamed for inciting deadly xenophobic violence in South Africa claimed he was misquoted by media to have uttered words "foreigners must pack their bags and go home" during speech last month. He has since appealed for calm and condemn attacks against foreigners. 

Malawi Should Consider Job Creation To Protect Its Youth From Future Xenophobic Violence- Kalindo

Hon Bon Kalindo

Mulanje South legislature, Honorable Bon Elias Kalindo says xenophobic attacks against African immigrants in South Africa should serve as a wake up call to Malawi government on the need to addres unemployment amongthe youth.

Kalindo remarks comes as he joins in solidarity with the rest of concerned Malawians in condemning bloody attacks against foreign African nationals by South African citizens on the root that the immigrants have taken up their jobs.

Kalindo in font of protests carrying Malawi flag

Kalindo on Tuesday joined the march from Parliament building to Kang'ombe house in city centre to South African embassy to present petition calling the rainbow nation to immediately halt the ongoing violence against fellow Africans and was dressed in black a symbol of mourning and carried national flag in the front of the protesters.

In an interview, the Parliamentarian has urged government to consider job creation as the remedy to protect its citizens from being victims of Xenophobia in South Africa or any other country in future. He said as Malawi condemns South Africa there is need also to address the unemployment problem in the country so that youth do not flock to South Africa.

“The word to government is that it should look beyond xenophobia, because if we are not creating job opportunities to our people surely we are going to continue experience more problems and see more victims from Malawi whenever such forms of violence errupts."

The Mulanje South parliamentarian says will speak in National Assembly on this issue and matters relating to the ongoing violence in South Africa.

Hon. Kalindo has also condemned the South Africa violence “As a Malawian I needed to join this demonstration to show our solidarity and anger to the rest of African countries that what is happening in South Africa is very bad and we cannot support it” he said, “We condemn what is happening in South Africa”

“We are all Africans we don’t have to kill each other” appealed Hon Kalindo

South Africa Xenophobic Violence:Malawi’s Repatriation Budget Keeps on Rising...From K30M to K195M

The Malawi victims of the ongoing Xenophobia violence in the republic of South Africa keeps on rising so does the costs to repatriate them back home.

From K30 million as a cost of ferrying citizens escaping violence, the figure rose to more than double last week and now has gone to K195 million.

First six buses for Malawians who freely accepted to come back escaping the ongoing attacks have been expected to arrive in the afternoon in Blantyre at Kwacha Social Welfare Centre and are totaling 390. 

Malawi government says K195 million is now the cost of hiring of the busses to ferry its citizens from South Africa.

Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Hon. Kondwani Nankhumwa revealed this morning in Lilongwe at a press briefing that there are now 3,200 Malawi victims and two confirmed deaths but the number may continue to rise.

Nankhumwa says the buses, which have a seating capacity of 65 each, cost an average of R100, 000 per bus but approximately 50 buses are needed which translates into R5 million or MK195 million.

“We are currently estimating K195 million for the hiring of the buses and the figures will continue to rise but we have the money in place” he said

“So far we are talking of the figure 3,200 even more who have been affected and two death have been confirmed of Malawians and one of them was already laid to rest on Wednesday”

“Day by day we continue to discover that there are more Malawians for example we had a figure of 90 then went up to 120 then 1000 so as we are speaking now is 3,200 which means this is necessitating the rise again in the economic cost of it”

The Minister has since identified one of the deceased person as Adam Kaunga from Chilipa in Mangochi  district and was laid to rest on Wednesday, but Government is yet to establish identity of the other body that is still is still at the mortuary.

He added that another one person was seriously injured and is in a Plaster of Paris (POP). He is too afraid to seek medical attention while expressing Government deepest sympathy and condolences to families of the deceased.

According to the government plan, the returnees who are to arrive in Blantyre will be separated with those coming from other regions being ferried to their regions of origin as per their choice.

Meanwhile, Hon Nankhumwa has confirmed that Malawian foreign minister will be meeting South African counterpart later this week but Secretary for Foreign Affairs is already in South Africa to discuss with his counterpart on the agenda to be discussed when the two ministers meet. 

As some angry Malawians are to hold anti-Xenophobia demonstrations in the capital, Lilongwe this Tuesday where a petition is to be delivered to South African Ambassador, the Minister has asked the demonstrators to exercise caution and conduct their protests in “free and fair” manner without attaching any form of violence to it.

“We maintain Malawi is a peace loving nation, we undertake freedom of association, freedom of expression which is there and freedom of demonstration which is there. We don’t intend to block anyone from doing this, they are exercising their rights.” He said

The Government Spokesperson has assured peace and security for all foreigner’s and their businesses whether of South Africans or others.

AU Decry Xenophobic Violence In South Africa

As acts of violence by South African citizens targeting foreign African nationals continue to soar in areas like KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, the African Union (AU) has condemned the attacks and call for immediate halt.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has described the attacks of foreign nationals specifically in the province of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa as “unacceptable, and unfortunate,” more particularly now as celebrations of Africa month approaches on 25 May where people remember the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, which played such a critical role in mobilizing international solidarity for the end of Apartheid.

Through AU Commission statement released on Thursday 16th April, 2015, Dlamini Zuma also says xenophobic attacks in South Africa are unacceptable whatever the challenges are, adding that no circumstances justify attacks on people, whether foreigners or locals. 

The Commission Chairperson has emphasized that challenges faced by South Africa, like poverty and unemployment, are equally experienced by all countries on the continent and needs all African nationals to work together to address these, and build a better future for all Africans. 

While appealed for dialogue in and amongst communities, to address the challenges and find peaceful solutions, the AU Commission welcomes the interventions from the South African government, including the deployment of the Inter-Ministerial committee to KwaZulu Natal to engage with those affected and with local communities, as well as the deployment of more police to instill peace and order.

Currently, Malawi government indicates about 420 Malawians are reportedly affected and are in temporary camps in South Africa. Only three (3) Malawians were seriously injured, one person heavily injured but the figure is expected to rise.

Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture hon Kondwani Nakhumwa says, Government of Malawi has set aside K30 million for the repatriation of its citizens wishing to return home voluntarily, escaping anti-immigrant (xenophobic) attacks.

Department of Disaster and Management Affairs is to coordinate the repatriation process with immediate effect and the returnees are expected this weekend.

Nankhumwa further says the Malawian Consulate and the High Commissioner’s office in South Africa are working hand in hand with the South African government on monitoring and assessing the situation on the ground on the production of temporally travel documents for the victims.

420 Malawians Affected in Xenophobic Attacks, MW Govt Budget K30 Million In Repatriation Of Victims

The Government of Malawi has set aside K30 million for the repatriation of Malawians who want to return home voluntarily escaping anti-immigrant (xenophobic) attacks in Durban, South Africa.

This is according to a statement signed by Hon Kondwani Nankhumwa Minister of Information and Culture who indicates that official reports from the offices of the Malawian Consulate and High Commission to South Africa as of 14th April 2015, about 420 Malawians were reported to be affected and are in temporary camps in South Africa.

The statement further says so far only three (3) Malawians have been reported to be seriously injured, one person  heavily injured. And the minister has however said the figure of Malawians who have been affected is expected to rise.

The victims are said to have lost almost all their property, including travel documents in the attacks.

According to Nankhumwa, the Government of Malawi has decided to  to hire six (6) buses from South Africa to be used to ferry people who voluntarily want to be repatriated to Malawi.

The statement says, Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has directed the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs to coordinate the repatriation process with immediate effect.

Nankhumwa further says the Malawian Consulate and the High Commissioner’s office in South Africa are working hand in hand with the South African government on monitoring and assessing the situation on the ground on the production of temporally travel documents for the victims.

The government spokes person further adds that the buses are expected to arrive in Malawi from South Africa with the returnees on Sunday and the Government of Malawi has identified two centres in Lilongwe at Social Welfare in Malangalanga and Blantyre at Kwacha Social Welfare near Njamba as places where the buses will drop off the returnees from South Africa.

The Government of Malawi will also organize transport for the returnees to return to their respective homes says Nankhumwa.

"The Malawian Mission in South Africa is conducting the screening process which includes identification of individuals in order to fast track border crossing as well as identification of an individual’s home of origin. The Malawi Government is committed to ensuring the safe return of all Malawians who have been affected by the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa." Added the Minister