Lesotho group invokes 1998 unrest in plea to end violence against migrant-owned businesses.
The Migrant Workers Association of Lesotho (MWA-Ls) has issued a plea for calm amid ongoing anti-foreigner protests in parts of South Africa, warning that violence against migrant-owned businesses risks repeating painful chapters from southern Africa's past.
As demonstrations continue in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal under the banner of 'restoring law and order', the organisation said what may have begun as concerns over compliance with by-laws and immigration regulations had, in many instances, descended into intimidation, mob violence and looting.
The association said it fully supports lawful enforcement by authorities but believes ordinary migrant workers and traders are becoming the targets of growing public frustration.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the targeting of individuals based on nationality, and the looting that is taking place under the guise of 'law enforcement'. It is contradictory and unlawful to condemn 'illegal trading' while committing the serious crimes of theft, malicious damage to property and assault," MWA-Ls said.
