Many of the foreign nationals who were displaced following the xenophobic attacks in Durban CBD, on Monday, have called on the government to intervene.
Durban xenophobic attacks: What’s the latest?
A large group of foreigners picketed outside the Diakonia Centre on Tuesday, Some, according to eNCA, spent the night outside the church council’s office since the businesses that were torched also housed the families.
Hundreds of foreign nationals have gathered outside the Diakonia Council of Churches building. They're seeking help following incidents of violence in Durban. On Sunday police responded to violent clashes in the CBD. Shops owned by foreign nationals were reportedly targeted. pic.twitter.com/UQtPXCrjxI
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 9, 2021
The disgruntled refugees say they have nowhere else to turn and are seeking help from the government or any civic institution. Others, it’s said, are weighing their options on possibly returning to their respective home countries out of fear of another attack.
Thus far, the Refugees Social Services centre has confirmed that it is in talks with the foreign nationals to see where it can utilities its limited resources to help.
At this time, neither Dirco nor Home Affairs have issued a statement on the events taking place in Durban.
Durban police have yet to make arrests
Speculation continues to grow on who may be behind these xenophobic attacks. However, there is a growing sense that members of uMkhonto WeSizwe (MKMVA), the ANC’s military wing, are responsible for the violence.
While the group has not made public statements in this regard, a number of coincidences were observed recently.
For one, the first wave of Durban xenophobic attacks sprung up in late January, on the same day MKMVA members marched to the City Hall to hand over a memorandum to Premier Sihle Zikalala that, among other things, contained xenophobic rhetoric.
Secondly, on Friday 5 March, many of the stores that were targeted in Monday’s violence were marked in red with the initials ‘MK’.
This circumstantial evidence, however, has not helped Durban police in making advancements in the case. From what we understand, no arrests have been made and investigations are still ongoing.