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Pakistani community leader condemns violence

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There have been no casualties amongst the Pakistani community in Durban since the recent breakout in xenophobic violence, according to the national chairperson of the Pakistani Association of South Africa. The coastal city has been the setting of shocking scenes over the past week, with at least five fatalities reported. This wave has left many foreign nationals fearful to set foot within the Durban CBD.

That sense of fear and uncertainty is also evident amongst the Pakistani community residing near the hotspots of the violence.

Chairperson, Fayyaz Khan said they were in constant contact with local authorities in order to keep up to date and informed in current developments.

“So far we do not have any casualty’s alhamdullilah, and if anything does happen we will know. But at the same time our Muslim brothers across South Africa are being badly hurt, and the manner in which they have been killed and the brutality that is being shown, I have no words (for it), he said, expressing his associations outright condemnation at the current wave of violence.

He lauded the wider scope of South African society for the “immense support” shown towards the Pakistani community, and foreign nationals at large. At the same time he questioned the motive behind the attacks, especially since he, and the Pakistani community viewed South African’s to be an “extremely peace loving people”.

“They embraced us, they gave us opportunities, they sheltered us and provided every possible thing…We don’t take it as South African’s against foreigners, but it must be some criminal or individual act,” he stated.

As the violence has escalated, more and more foreigners have begun taking up arms in order to protect themselves from the malicious mobs. But whilst this was an increasing and somewhat worrying trend, Khan said they would discourage people from arming themselves, instead urging them to approach local authorities for assistance.

“We don’t want a confrontation and we want them to live happily…They must refrain from taking law into their own hands; we will not encourage them to do so,” he said.

Despite his call, there have been allegations that some police officials have refused to assist foreign nationals, a claim that has yet to be confirmed. In spite of these suggestions, Khan said the efforts of SAPS need be applauded, and that they were yet to experience a situation where police did not avail themselves when called upon.

A peace march is scheduled to be held in Durban in protest of the violence. Apart from the respective foreign national associations, the KZN premier and Durban mayor are also expected to be in attendance. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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