South Africa Government

10/14/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2021 01:55

Parliament calls on foreign nationals and taxi operators in Gqeberha to engage each other peacefully

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has noted with concern the burning of businesses of foreign nationals and burning of mini busses in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.

Mr Mahumapelo said South Africa is a signatory to a number of international agreements for the protection of refugees and migrants, and it endeavours to accommodate all legal migrants within its borders. As recently as last month, South Africa commemorated the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance at the High-Level United Nations General Assembly Roundtable meeting.

Mr Mahumapelo said: "We must, at all times, heed to the Constitution of South Africa which states explicitly that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. We call on all law enforcement agencies to take action against the perpetrators of violence and crime irrespective of their citizenship and status in society."

Mr Mahumapelo said the committee is calling on all peace loving residents of Gqeberha and the entire Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to assist the leaders of taxi associations and Somali spaza shop owners to find a lasting solution on any problem that has led to the acts of violence between Somali spaza shop owners and taxi operators.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 2239
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: [email protected](link sends e-mail)