Times Of Swaziland: SWAZIS IN S. AFRICA  LIVING IN FEAR

SWAZIS IN S. AFRICA  LIVING IN FEAR
================================================================================
BY PHEPHILE MOTAU on 16/04/2015 07:32:00


MBABANE – Swazis studying and working in Durban, South Africa, are now living
in constant fear in the wake of the xenophobic attacks which have left about
five people dead and hundreds forced to flee their homes.
SAPeople reported yesterday that it had been a sad day for South Africa as over
2 000 people brought Durban’s Central Business District (CBD) to a standstill
following days of xenophobic attacks in the KwaZulu Natal Province. It was
reported that the recent flare up of attacks against foreign nationals had been
blamed by some on a recent comment made by Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini,
saying ‘foreigners must go’. He claimed his comment was distorted.
Jacob Zuma’s son, Edward, was also reported to have said he fully agreed with
King Zwelithini’s sentiments that ‘foreigners needed to leave the
country’. This brought a huge outcry as he was said to have been born in
Swaziland. Additional law enforcement officers were deployed in KwaZulu Natal on
Tuesday to deal with the horrific attacks, which have left at least five people
dead and thousands displaced in Durban townships.
“It is foreigners from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and other African countries
– which once took South Africans in during the apartheid years – who are
being targeted in the attacks. Many of these attacks have reached worldwide
attention with graphic videos being shared on social media of victims being
stoned and burnt alive,” the publication reported.
Some Swazis living in Durban have said they were now even afraid to speak their
native language, for fear of being labelled as foreigners.
Bongiwe Zwane, who works for a construction company in Durban, said Tuesday
afternoon was the worst period for her since the attacks began, as they moved to
the Durban CBD, where her company is based.