COSATU KwaZulu-Natal, 15 April 2015 Xenophobic attacks: An unnecessary act The Congress of South African Trade Unions in KwaZulu-Natal strongly condemns the xenophobic attack on our African neighbours, who are currently residing in our country. We believe that this attack is uncalled for. We have to acknowledge that South Africa is not a "banana republic" that has no direction. It is a country with structures, institutions and a fully-fledged government whose mandate has been recently refreshed by the majority people of this country, in less than a year ago. It is a government with laws that deserve to be respected. Our Constitution, which is the supreme law of the country, has a clearly enshrined Bill of Rights, regardless of the limitations but they need to be observed as they are respected globally. Killing or assaulting anyone is a crime to humanity, and damage to property, looting and stealing, are some of the serious misconduct. COSATU understands that we come from a system in which such conducts were encouraged through the so-called "black on black violence". We have also observed that the proponents for such cruel system are now shy to talk about it, while they are the first ones to act holy and point fingers to the government of the day. As workers, we are quite conscious that the imperialism, which is responsible for economic inequality has a lot to be desired when it come to this violent act. It is incorrect that the very same capitalists are the ones who are shifting the goal post, to say their hands are clean because they are not directly affected. As labour, we are clear that part of this, is a skewed economic system, which for a very long time has been allowed to stratify our society and create class inequalities. On one hand South Africa has to look at the role of both foreign and internal employers, who do not observe and respect our Labour Laws. These are regarded as worse employers in terms of labour rights, who continue to pay workers peanuts. Workers have been consistently reporting that there are employers, who employ our foreign brothers and sisters in order to exploit them, and as a way to dodge labour costs. COSATU is prepared to take these employers head-on in the fight against this exploitation. We will go to the streets and the picketing lines, and fight against their exploitation of workers regardless who are they and where they come from. The recent reports of the use of foreigners as scab-labours against striking workers in Isipingo is typical example of the divisive conduct by some employers, and it cannot be tolerated by COSATU because it is not only setting up workers against one other, but it encourage violent against African comrades. COSATU calls for tolerance and calm. We should encourage our members, workers and our people at large to refrain from such conducts. But we also call on all State Institutions to be effective, efficient and responsive to the challenges facing our working class if they are raised with them. It is our hope that through this new violent attack, a lesson is learnt not to be reactionary, but to be in a constant phase of developing proactive measures to curb such outbreaks, meaning that we should have continued with the programs we have put in place after the 2008 outbreak. It is also important to caution those who are using KZN attack to our neighbouring people to advance their narrow tribal agenda. This is reckless and irresponsible. Every South African is aware that this has been a country wide problem, and it should be contextualized as such, recently it has been Soweto and if we carry on lamenting without acting decisively it will soon be all over the country. So we need to act now and curb it. The voice will be more bigger and subsequently spread all over if the majority can talk one language of establishing an amicable solution to the problem, than pointing fingers to an amoeba that has neither a tail nor head. It is a crime and an anomy that must be fought regardless of the place and time it occurs. Our government must use its intelligence capacity to investigate any possible allegations of instigation for such conduct and if found be subjected into a full mighty of the law. The laws of the country have to be observed by everyone, whether is a South African or not, and our government institutions and officials who are charged for such responsibilities must commit and dedicate themselves, in ensuring stability across the country. COSATU says to our people South Africa needs no war, but let's engage. We pledge unity within our poor people, who are most affected. Issued by Edwin Mkhize COSATU KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary 076 522 8839 -- -- You are subscribed. 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