Julius Malema, South African opposition politician, has condemned citizens who launch xenophobic attacks against foreigners in the country over claims of job loss.
Malema spoke on Thursday during an event organised to
commemorate the 14th anniversary of Collen Mashawana Foundation.
Recently, videos of violent attacks against African
immigrants, particularly Ghanaians, Zimbabweans, and Nigerians in South Africa.
went viral on social media.
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg said two Nigerians —
Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew — were killed in the escalating
xenophobic tensions.
Speaking during the event, Malema, leader of the Economic
Freedom Fighters, challenged perpetrators of attacks on foreigners and the
closure of their businesses to state the jobs they have created in South
Africa.
The opposition politician said citizens with no skills are
claiming that foreigners took their jobs in South Africa.
Malema said he does not want the votes of those who attack
foreigners or expect him to share in their hatred.
“I want to speak about the xenophobic and afrophobia that we
are practicing here in South Africa today,” he said.
“I want to challenge you who say ‘Zimbabweans take your
jobs, Nigerians take your jobs’ and you march, close shops, and beat up people.
Tell us after doing that, how many jobs have you created?
“You beat people because they took jobs. You closed a show
that hired five people and you say they take our jobs. After closing that shop,
how many jobs have you created?
“Unskilled men, with no skill whatsoever, say somebody took their jobs. The skill they know is to drink and I want to pretend like revolutionaries.
“I don’t want your votes. If you behave like that, take them
away. I don’t want a vote that says to me, I must hate Africans for you to vote
for me. I will never do that.”
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