The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today commended the community of Khayelitsha for taking the first and ground-breaking step against this evil scourge of hatred that seeks to engulf our society, that is, xenophobic violence and threats.
“This community’s refusal to be drawn into marginal and lunatic warfare orchestrated by prophets of doom, serves as a shining example to be emulated by all communities around our country,” said while giving a keynote address at an Anti-Xenophobic Summit, held in Khayelitsha, Western Cape.
Minister Mthethwa shared with the community government’s plan, which he termed a unity of purpose and a single vision, which was formulated at yesterday’s Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) meeting. The basic principle of this plan is to engage all stakeholders within the community to build unity of purpose, single vision and a programme to address this current challenge.
One of the cornerstones of government’s plan in dealing with the issue of xenophobic threats is cantered on the proactive facilitation of a societal dialogue. Today’s summit is setting a good example to other communities to follow because it was attended by political party representatives, police, church leaders, community structures, non-governmental organisations(NGOs). “During our deliberations at the IMC we all spoke in one voice that: neither shall we allow a handful of malcontents to perpetuate negative grand-standing. We vowed that we shall not allow some lunatics whose desire is to cast a negative shadow on our positive and good image as a country.
The minister further cautioned some leaders who hold high positions in government and in society who fuel these threats. These are the people who, prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup embarked on the infamous smear campaign, saying there will be bloodbath in this country and that crime is spiralling out of control. “We condemn and caution against this alarmist-phobia by those who fuel these rumours. Their actions are intended to divert attention of the world from our success and celebratory mood. We shall never give an inch or space for evil intentions in the current massive show of support for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”
He dared all those who claim to be leaders to show responsibility, care, human compassion and solidarity with those who are currently living in fear of this dangerous rumour-mongering. “It becomes such a pity when those who claim to be leaders are supposed to discharge leadership and guidance to project a common cause, end up being the peddlers of fear and anxiety,” he added.
Government is cognisant that there will be a once-off-one-stop solution. However we are steadfast in our belief that together we can do more to defeat crime, in whatever form it manifest itself, whether or not it is branded xenophobia. “Government is in charge. Police are in charge. Each day we are gaining momentum and scoring victories in the fight against criminals,” concluded the minister.
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