There Is No Xenophobia In South Africa – Deputy President, Paul Mashatile

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa remains open to African investment and is not anti-foreigner, but will not tolerate illegal migration.

He was speaking to SABC News on the sidelines of the World African Heritage Day celebrations in Midrand (Johannesburg), hosted by the African World Heritage Fund, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Mashatile insists there is no xenophobia in South Africa, only opposition to illegal migration. He cautioned against lawlessness, urging citizens not to take matters into their own hands.

“Well, South Africa is not anti-foreigners. What we have been doing for years, we have been against illegal people come into our country, whether they are from Africa or anywhere in the world. It’s something we will not allow, but we will not be chasing Africans for the sake of it. What we are saying is that let people come to our country. Yes, we want investments. We want to work with them to develop our own country, but must be done legally.”

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In other news: Two Nigerians Killed In South Africa As Xenophobic Tensions Rise

The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg says two Nigerians identified as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, have been killed in South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions.

According to NAN, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, the consul-general, said in a statement on Monday that Emmanuel died from injuries allegedly sustained after being beaten by personnel of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on April 20.

She said Andrew, on the other hand, was apprehended on April 19 in the Booysens area of Pretoria following an alleged altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police, and that his body was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.