No sympathy for zama zama rapists

I refer to a column by Mosibudi Mangena – “Black dehumanisation continues” – on August 21 2022 in Sunday World. Mangena is a former minister of science and technology.

Three Sundays ago, Sunday World reported that nine girls participating in a dance film shoot were gang-raped by illegal and undocumented miners.

I am writing to complain about Mangena’s article as it focuses on and sympathises with the (dehumanisation of) illegal and undocumented miners.

To be gang-raped by dirty men or clean men is the same. Rape is inhuman.

The rape of these girls is a national disaster. Mangena’s article muddies this horrible incident. This is our country, where are our kids supposed to play?

I would have thought as a former minister, a father/ parent, an elder and a loyal South African, Mangena would be angry, condemn or give direction on how to solve these incidents. This was not the first, nor the last.

Instead, Mangena chooses old and irrelevant slogans by writing “cycle of black dehumanisation continues”.

The people who committed these acts are not “black people”, they are animals.

Our politicians, including Mangena, created these problems by opening our borders. Lapha emzansi kukwampunzi idla emini.

Our politicians create problems to solve them.

These guys are armed and conducting illegal activities. Illegal zama zama activities are conducted mainly by undocumented foreigners.

Mangena is not a nation builder.

Siphiwe Buthelezi

By e-mail