Diaspora Forum blames Soweto looting on 'reckless' government officials
The African Diaspora Forum (ADF) believe statements made by government officials have fuelled the looting of foreign-owned shops in Soweto.
Police were deployed to the area on Wednesday night following reports of widespread looting.
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The organisation’s Amir Sheikh claims looting came as no surprise given the recent anti-immigrant statements by various officials.
"The irresponsible, reckless statements made by (Johannesburg Mayor) Herman Mashaba, (Gauteng) Premier Makhura and Police Minister Bheki Cele is actually what the community members are echoing.
"At least someone must take responsibility for this matter. We cannot just blame the local community," he says.
During last week’s raids by police on illegal traders and undocumented foreigners in the Johannesburg CBD, Cele said: "We would have loved that they put them in big buses, big trains and drop them off where they came from but that is up to the home affairs and we will not instruct them what they do."
ALSO READ: Cele comments 'reckless, irresponsible with the potential to incite violence'