South Africans says ‘Stop using foreigners as a scape goat’

MEMBERS of the One Voice of all Hawkers Association protested yesterday againts xenophobia. During their march from Noord Street Taxi Rank to Joburg City Hall, they chanted: “Down with xenophobia! Up with Africa!”
Association president Zacharia Ramutula said: “We must put an end to this chaos. Peace must be restored. Violence is not the answer.” Members came from as far away as Benoni, in Ekurhuleni, and Carletonville.

Hawkers led by Zacharia Ramutula and Frans Seema march against violence.
Photo by Yuri Madonsela

They said they were frustrated because the violence was impacting their business.

Betty Maseko from Berea said: “We get some of our stock from other parts of Africa and suppliers are not happy.

“We need to work as a nation to put a stop to this. South Africans should stop blaming foreign nationals for their failures.

“We have the same opportunities. We must stop using them as a scapegoat.

“Our government can deal with illegal immigrants and criminals. Taking the law into our own hands only creates more problems.”

Senior One Voice member Frans Seema said: “The world sees South Africans in a negative light because of a few criminals who use xenophobia to justify their criminal acts.”