President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to desist from fuelling tensions in the wake of violence that has gripped the country.“I am calling upon each one of us to desist from fuelling a climate of fear and confusion,” said the President.
President Ramaphosa addressed the nation recently through a national broadcast on radio and television on matters of public violence and gender-based violence.
President said the country has been deeply traumatised by acts of violence and criminality directed against foreign nationals and South African citizens.
“We know that at least 10 people have been killed in this violence, two of whom were a foreign nationals. No amount of anger and frustration and grievance can justify such acts of destruction and criminality.
“There can be no excuse for the attacks on the homes and businesses of foreign nationals, just as there can be no excuse for xenophobia or any other form of intolerance,” he said.
Equally, President Ramaphosa stressed that there is no justification for the looting and destruction of businesses owned by South Africans.
“The people from other countries on our continent stood with us in our struggle against apartheid.
“We worked together to destroy apartheid and overcome the divisions it created, where we feared each other and our differences were exploited,” he said.
The President called on South Africans to work to strengthen political, social and trade ties in an effort to develop the country’s economy and that of its neighbours.
He also called on communities with genuine grievances to address these through engagement and dialogue.
In the same breathe, the President warned that no stone would be left unturned in addressing criminal activity.
The President commended law enforcement and security agencies for their swift action to restore stability in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
“The criminal justice system is ready to deal with perpetrators of violence, looting and lawlessness,” said President Ramaphosa.
Calling for calm, President Ramaphosa said this was time for all who live in the country to confront challenges directly and earnestly, not through violence, but through dialogue. SAnews.gov.za
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