Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, Amina Mohamed, said on Friday
that Kenya would evacuate its nationals
from
South Africa as xenophobic violence
increases.
She said on Friday in Nairobi that though
there were no Kenyan casualties in the
uproar in South Africa, government was
planning to evacuate those it could get
hold of.
Mohamed said the evacuation had
become necessary because of the fear
that the attacks may spread across the
country.
According to her, this measure will be
taken after a new spate of violence has
left at least five people killed in the
eastern port city of Durban.
Some foreign-owned shops in
Johannesburg’s downtown area have
reportedly shut this week amid the fears,
with the police maintaining a heavy
presence in the city.
Mohamed said some Kenyans living in
the affected regions, mostly business
people, had moved to temporary camps
provided for victims, but not in large
numbers.
She said the Kenyan Mission in South
Africa was ready to offer assistance to
any Kenyan national who may be
adversely affected.
“Kenya’s official figures show some 450
Kenyans are in Durban, mostly in the city
centre,” she said.
Meanwhile, organisers of protest march
against xenophobic attacks in South
Africa said on Friday in Lusaka, that
police had cancelled the protest.
Miles Mukumbuta, Chairperson of the
organisers, said they planned to march to
the South African and Zimbabwean
Embassies and present petitions.
She said police cancelled the protest due
to short notice given by the organisers.
Zambian laws demand that police be
notified five days before any public
protest could be conducted.
“We demand that our leaders in Africa act
decisively over what is happening in
South Africa to ensure such does not
repeat itself.
“This is because we live in a global
village and therefore should be each
other’s brother’s keeper,” she said.
The organisers of the march dubbed
“Black Friday” hailed the hundreds of
Zambians that had continued to express
interest in joining the march.
Lusaka Police Commanding Officer,
Charity Katanga said the law on public
assembly required that police were
notified five days before the planned
date.
She said this is to enable the Service
prepare adequately to police the
procession.
