Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle has urged all South Africans to stand up and defend South Africa’s democracy from the threat of criminal elements and xenophobia.
Masualle, speaking at a prayer service against xenophobia at the Mthatha Town Hall on Sunday afternoon, also said: “Our law enforcement agency must be strengthened, must be focused; they must act very firmly against those who break the law.”
The service, attended by about 1000 people, was organised by the Mthatha Ministers’ Fraternal and the SA Council of Churches in the OR Tambo region.
Masualle said: “As the country celebrates 21 years of democracy on April 27, we should all stand up and defend our own integrity as people of South Africa.
“We must ask, what has gone wrong with us? Who would really get joy out of killing, what kind of a human being is it who derives pleasure in inflicting pain and killing?”
Masualle said xenophobic attacks were not a true reflection of South Africa.
“Acts of criminality have taken to the fore to usurp the space so this democracy and our collective conscience as a nation are undermined,” he said.
The premier appealed to churches to serve as the moral conscience of society.
“No amount of anger should lead to killing your fellow brother, your fellow kinsmen. This is not representative of who we are.
“We must be an army that talks to our people, saying this is totally unacceptable, and totally unrepresentative of the people we are. It is abhorrent, it is condemned in all possible ways.
“What is happening is a shame and disgrace to us.”
He said South Africans were by nature people of “love and peace”.
“Our successes as the country are intertwined with the success of the rest of the African continent.
“Our destiny as a continent is united. Those doing these ugly things are not doing them in our interests. Let us work together and make our brothers feel welcome, well looked after and protected in this country, as we deserve the same in their countries.
“In fact, we experienced that love when many of our brothers and sisters had to leave their own country and were cared for in those countries. Ubuntu means we must reciprocate.”
Umtata Rhema Christian Church leader pastor Don Phillips called on government leaders to work hard with stakeholders to fight xenophobia.
“The resentment and frustration our country is experiencing is a breeding ground for disaster. Is this a society I want to leave for my children and grandchildren?
“I say no! May God forbid we hide our head in the sand and act as normal,” said Phillips.
A tearful foreign pastor, Henry Buxton said: “We are sad, living in fear, and our lives have been displaced. We are in a state of trauma. We need your protection and love as you are our brothers and sisters. We love South Africa.
“What is happening is wrong.”
The prayer service was also attended by OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth and KSD Mayor Nonkoliso Ngqongwa. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Masualle calls for tough action to end violence
Masualle, speaking at a prayer service against xenophobia at the Mthatha Town Hall on Sunday afternoon, also said: “Our law enforcement agency must be strengthened, must be focused; they must act very firmly against those who break the law.”
The service, attended by about 1000 people, was organised by the Mthatha Ministers’ Fraternal and the SA Council of Churches in the OR Tambo region.
Masualle said: “As the country celebrates 21 years of democracy on April 27, we should all stand up and defend our own integrity as people of South Africa.
“We must ask, what has gone wrong with us? Who would really get joy out of killing, what kind of a human being is it who derives pleasure in inflicting pain and killing?”
Masualle said xenophobic attacks were not a true reflection of South Africa.
“Acts of criminality have taken to the fore to usurp the space so this democracy and our collective conscience as a nation are undermined,” he said.
The premier appealed to churches to serve as the moral conscience of society.
“No amount of anger should lead to killing your fellow brother, your fellow kinsmen. This is not representative of who we are.
“We must be an army that talks to our people, saying this is totally unacceptable, and totally unrepresentative of the people we are. It is abhorrent, it is condemned in all possible ways.
“What is happening is a shame and disgrace to us.”
He said South Africans were by nature people of “love and peace”.
“Our successes as the country are intertwined with the success of the rest of the African continent.
“Our destiny as a continent is united. Those doing these ugly things are not doing them in our interests. Let us work together and make our brothers feel welcome, well looked after and protected in this country, as we deserve the same in their countries.
“In fact, we experienced that love when many of our brothers and sisters had to leave their own country and were cared for in those countries. Ubuntu means we must reciprocate.”
Umtata Rhema Christian Church leader pastor Don Phillips called on government leaders to work hard with stakeholders to fight xenophobia.
“The resentment and frustration our country is experiencing is a breeding ground for disaster. Is this a society I want to leave for my children and grandchildren?
“I say no! May God forbid we hide our head in the sand and act as normal,” said Phillips.
A tearful foreign pastor, Henry Buxton said: “We are sad, living in fear, and our lives have been displaced. We are in a state of trauma. We need your protection and love as you are our brothers and sisters. We love South Africa.
“What is happening is wrong.”
The prayer service was also attended by OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth and KSD Mayor Nonkoliso Ngqongwa. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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