Fingers point at Mashaba amid xenophobic violence

THE newly formed Coalition of Civics Against Xenophobia wants Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba to resign with immediate effect.

The coalition‚ made up of South Africans and representatives of foreign communities under the auspices of the Lawyers for Human Rights‚ called for Mashaba’s head after a flare-up of xenophobic violence in Tshwane yesterday.

Residents taking part in an anti- immigrant march clashed with foreign nationals in Atteridgeville. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse protesters.

“First among those who must take responsibility for the xenophobic violence and looting of the past two weeks is Johannesburg’s DA mayor, Herman Mashaba,” said Mametlwe Sebei‚ of the Lawyers for Human Rights organisation yesterday.

The organisation laid the blame squarely on Mashaba.

Sebei said Mashaba’s public statements against “illegal foreigners” demanding they “leave his city” had played a direct role in inciting xenophobic violence.

“He has wrecked lives. We demand the resignation of this divisive politician and (we) will be pursuing all means to hold him accountable.”

Mashaba, however, has said that the City of Johannesburg had been working tirelessly to prevent the outbreak of xenophobic attacks, and expressed his concern for the flare-up.

“I call on all peace-loving South Africans to reject groupings which seek to place the blame for crime and unemployment squarely at the feet of foreign residents in our communities,” Mashaba said in a statement.

“I implore our residents not to take the law into their own hands, and respect human rights and the rule of law.”

Mashaba added that there was no place for xenophobia in Johannesburg.

“Johannesburg is a cosmopolitan city made up of people from differing socio-economic and political circumstances.

“It is essential that national government, and where applicable, provincial government, work with local government to tackle xenophobia in our society.

“My office remains open to participating in co-operative gover nment i nterventions against xenophobia.”

Local residents flee as police officers fire stun grenades and rubber bullets during a protest against foreign nationals in Pretoria yesterday.