This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
On September 6, 2019, the South African government condemned xenophobic attacks, urging security forces to arrest perpetrators and curb the violence.
Robert Mugabe, the late Zimbabwean leader, had previously spoken out against black South Africans attacking fellow black people while failing to stand up to apartheid and oppression by whites.
His son, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, shared his father's wisdom on the issue, stating that the ongoing xenophobic attacks are a reflection of South Africa's self-hate.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the violence, tweeting, 'I CONDEMN THE VIOLENCE THAT HAS BEEN SPREADING AROUND A NUMBER OF OUR PROVINCES IN THE STRONGEST TERMS. I’M CONVENING THE MINISTERS IN THE SECURITY CLUSTER TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THESE ACTS OF WANTON VIOLENCE AND FIND WAYS OF STOPPING THEM.'
