DIEPSLOOT, SOUTH ARICA – APRIL 06: The aftermath of the protest in Diepsloot on April 06, 2022 in Diepsloot, South Africa. The group is demanding more police visibility, want to speak to Police Minister, Bheki Cele and also want an end to crime and violence in the area. (Photo by Gallo Images/Papi Morake)
DIEPSLOOT, SOUTH ARICA – APRIL 06: The aftermath of the protest in Diepsloot on April 06, 2022 in Diepsloot, South Africa. The group is demanding more police visibility, want to speak to Police Minister, Bheki Cele and also want an end to crime and violence in the area. (Photo by Gallo Images/Papi Morake)
The South African branch of ZANU PF (the ruling political party of Zimbabwe) has broken its silence on the killing of Elvis Nyati, who was set alight and murdered in Diepsloot earlier this week.
Diepsloot latest: Authorities try to calm situation
In a statement published on Friday afternoon, the political organisation says that foreign nationals – and Zimbabweans like Elvis Nyati in particular – are the target of an orchestrated witch-hunt in local communities.
“ZANU PF South Africa does not condone any acts of criminality by its citizens and anyone for that matter. It respects and values the rule of law, the sanctity of life and human rights. To that end anyone caught on the wrong side of the law should be brought before the courts of law. We condemn the witch-hunting of foreign nationals in SA.”
ZANU PF SA
Aaron Motsoaledi clashes with ZANU PF SA
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, meanwhile, has taken exception to this statement. He moved to condemn ZANU PF officials, reminding them that ‘more than one person’ has died during a week of violence in Diepsloot – a majority of which are South African.
Motsoaledi vowed that he would ‘not put his head in the sand’ when it came to tackling the troubles flaring up in Diepsloot, and his language reflected that. The senior politician certainly didn’t mince his words on Friday.
“Not just one person died. PEOPLE have died. Multiple people. The reports we are getting, from people who live here, is that. It’s not an issue of documentation, it’s a matter of criminality. Women are being raped in their own homes. These are the issues we must face head on. We can’t put our heads under the sand for fear of being labelled.”
“We condemn the killing of Elvis Nyati in the strongest way, and we condemn the killing of ALL the people who died here. The life of a human being is very important, and no-one has a right to kill – not even the state.”
Aaron Motsoaledi
