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7 July 2008

President Thabo Mbeki last week said the government will work speedily to achieve the re-integration of all the displaced Africans within the communities they were forced to flee during the recent attacks on foreign nationals.

"We are meeting here today to pledge that we will do everything necessary to ensure that as Africans, regardless of our geographic origins, we will once more live together at peace with one another," said Mbeki, addressing the National Tribute in Remembrance of the Victims of Attacks on Foreign National and South Africans in Tshwane on Thursday.

Mbeki said government would ensure that those responsible for the criminal activities during the dark days of May faced the full might of the law. He said the gathering bowed its head in shame because others had acted in ways that suggested the values of ubuntu were dead and lay in the graves of those killed.

"On behalf of our people, I humbly convey our apologies that we allowed criminals in our midst to inflict terrible pain and damage. We will do everything possible and necessary to ensure that we have no need in future to proffer this humble apology which is inspired by genuine remorse," said Mbeki.

He said government will do everything necessary to assist the victims of this criminal onslaught, both the South Africans and foreign guests to resume their normal lives.

"Those who have eyes will have seen that much of the violence we experienced was targeted at the immigrants who had property to loot," said Mbeki, adding that the majority of the immigrants who lived in conditions of poverty as do many South Africans were not attacked.

Among those that attended the gathering were Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool, High Commissioners, Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors, faith-based organisations as well as victims of the violence, displaced people and the families of those who had died.

A total of 62 people were killed, many were injured and about 47 000 people were displaced during the nationwide attacks which broke out in Alexandra, Johannesburg, on 11 May. About 1 433 people were arrested. Those who were forced to leave their homes sought refuge at local police stations. They were later moved to various temporary shelters set up around the country.

The government plans to reintegrate the displaced people by the end of July. There are about 9 000 displaced people in the country, however, many have voluntarily moved back to their communities.

Thabiso Moroko from Thokoza gave testimony on behalf of young people. He said the attacks were pure criminality as they had lived with these people for many years.

On behalf of Masiphumelele Community in the Western Cape, Pastor Patrick Diba said it took them two days to reintegrate "our brothers and sisters back to our community".

"We felt that we had to do something to correct the wrong that had been done", said Diba.

He further urged other communities follow their footsteps and do the same. The great gift we can give them is love not blankets and foods, he added.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 July 2008
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za/)