Meeting to discuss criminality

SERIOUS concerns were raised about acts of violence and criminality directed against foreign nationals and South African citizens at a meeting between the ANC and the African Diaspora Forum (ADF) at Luthuli House yesterday, .

The meeting took place ahead of an intensive engagement by ANC national officials with citizens and ANC structures in Gauteng on violence against women and foreign nationals.

At the meeting, the ANC delegation was led by ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte, while the ADF delegation was led by ADF executive committee chairperson Dr Abdul Karim Elgoni.

The ADF conveyed the concerns of its members and proposed solutions to a number of immigration-related challenges, expressing its condemnation of any violations of South African law and, in particular, attacks on law enforcement officials.

The ANC reiterated its condemnation of all acts of violence and criminality directed against foreign nationals and South African citizens and underscored the need to resolve grievances through engagement and dialogue. It emphasised its commitment to building a united Africa through the strengthening of political, social and economic ties between African countries.

“The ADF expressed appreciation for the principled stance taken by the ANC, as well as the open and honest manner in which it explained these concerns.

“The ANC and the ADF agreed to continue engaging in dialogue,” the parties said in a statement.