 |
SOUTHERN AFRICA: Archbishop deplores violent attacks on foreigners in Alexandra
[Episcopal News Service] A wave of violent attacks on foreigners in Alexandra, a township north-east of Johannesburg, South Africa, has been condemned by the Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, who said that "much of the appalling violence...is rooted in deep frustration arising from our failure to distribute the gains of economic growth in South Africa to all."Three people have been killed by mobs marching through the streets of Alexandra and terrorizing the community. Around 100 people from neighboring countries such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe have camped outside the township police station, "fearing for their lives if they leave the safety of the police's presence," according to reports.
Makgoba, who was enthroned as primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa in March this year, said it is "unacceptable for those who suffer poverty and deprivation to express their anger by attacking others who are also suffering from poverty and deprivation. Sadly, foreign people are labeled, abused and killed, but those from other countries who live among us are just as much our neighbours, whom we are commanded by Jesus to love as ourselves, as are South Africans. Foreign nationals are God's people too."
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has reportedly called on South Africans to stand up against the attacks.