NAREP condemns South Africa over xenophobic attacks, cites ‘failure of governance’

The National Restoration Party (NAREP) on Monday condemned ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa, calling them a “serious failure of governance” by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling African National Congress (ANC). In a statement, NAREP president, Ezra Ngulube, said the violence targeting foreign nationals, including Zambians, was a betrayal of Pan-African values. “It is unacceptable that fellow Africans continue to face violence, discrimination, and intimidation in a country that was once a symbol of liberation and unity on the African continent,” Ngulube said.

He added that South Africa bore “a historic responsibility as a leading nation in Africa to protect all who live within its borders, regardless of nationality.” Ngulube said repeated waves of xenophobic attacks pointed to weak leadership and security. “The inability of the South African government to decisively address these brutal attacks raises grave concerns about leadership, national security, and commitment to African solidarity,” he said. He urged South African government to take “immediate and firm action” to halt the violence, prosecute perpetrators and strengthen protections for foreign nationals.

Ngulube also appealed to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) to engage South Africa and push for “lasting solutions” to the crisis. “Africa must stand together against division, hatred, and violence. Xenophobia has no place in our continent,” he said.

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Ngulube noted that Zambia hosts a substantial South African business presence, while thousands of Zambians live and work in South Africa, particularly in mining, retail and transport. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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