SWAZIS WANT TO RETURN HOME

MANZINI – A number of South Africa-based Swazis are considering coming back home following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the neighbouring country.

Some of the interviewed Swazis, who are working in Durban, admitted that they feared for their lives due to the rampant crime and regular violence in the city and surrounding areas.

The violent xenophobic attacks have resulted in five dead and thousands displaced.  South Africans first targeted shops owned by foreign nationals, largely from Somalia and Ethiopia. The violent attacks have now been, reportedly perpetuated against all African nationals, leaving many feeling terrified and hopeless.

African foreign nationals are being told to pack and leave as well.  Thousands have been displaced and are living in makeshift camps.
Majahonkhe Khumalo, who has worked as a truck driver in Durban for the past six years, said even though the attacks were mainly directed to foreign nationals running businesses in the neighbouring country, as workers, they feared that their lives were also in danger. “Currently, the main targets are foreign nationals who are living in the country, especially those who are having small, informal businesses in the townships and the informal settlements. However, we are also not at ease with the situation and we fear for our lives.

“We have witnessed some attacks on some foreign nationals happening in heavy police presence in the townships here in Durban and this proved that the South Africans do not need us in their country. The only option we have is to pack and leave before we die here,” Khumalo said.

He said the company he worked for employed about 10 Swazis, while in the township, where he was living, there were about 30 Swazis he knew and almost all of them were living in fear and were considering returning home until the situation had normalised. 

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