SOUTH AFRICA PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA MUST BE BLAMED FOR EVERYTHING XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE

After the IHRC Situation Room carried out a review of the wave of the xenophobic attacks, H.E Dr. Tivlumun Innocent Ahure, Secretary General of IHRC Africa Region HQ gives the President of South Africa the blame for lack of effective response by the South Africa government to the issue of xenophobia. He spoke to the IHRC Special Envoys in the African countries noting with conviction that there is no way the South Africa President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa can be seen as protecting the lives and property of other Africans living in his country. Dr. Ahure added that even though world leaders have been demanding tangible measures from President Ramaphosa to deter his country’s citizens from attacking Nigerians and other foreigners, his inaction in issuing strong and unequivocal condemnation of the xenophobic violence preferring instead to see the xenophobia attacks as wanton violence or mere criminal actions is a disservice. “Those not recognizing or stating clearly that the issue is xenophobia are backing the killings and have blood on their hands simple and short”. Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa have been the targets of attacks since last week when a taxi driver was killed by an alleged drug peddler in Pretoria. Foreign-owned businesses have been looted and burnt in different parts of the country. As of Monday September 2, 2019 three persons had already been killed while one person was in the hospital being treated for smoke inhalation. Dr. Ahure concluding said there is a Chinese curse which says “may he live in interesting times”. Like it or not, we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also the most creative of any time in the history of mankind. And everyone will ultimately be judged – will ultimately judge himself/herself – on the effort he/she has contributed to building a new world society and the extent to which his/her ideals and goals have shaped that effort.