Violence Claims Four Lives in Addo Valencia

By Natalie Nyathi

Addo Valencia, Eastern Cape, faces a crisis as violence claims four lives over the course of the weekend. The community is shocked and scared. Many foreign nationals, particularly Zimbabweans, have gathered outside the local police station, fearing for their safety.

According to reports, a South African was allegedly murdered by a group of foreign nationals at a local tavern, triggering retaliatory violence that has resulted in the deaths of three foreign nationals. Fearing for their lives, most Zimbabweans have opted to gather outside the police station, hoping for protection. They worry about being targeted and attacked.

One foreign national, gathered outside the police station, said, “It all started on Friday. People from this area went into the tavern and killed a colored person. After that, they fled the scene. Now, we’re in trouble because we have children, and they can’t go to school or anywhere. That’s why we’ve come to gather outside here because it’s very bad. We’re asking the locals to give us until the end of the season so we can gather enough money to go back home. As it is, we don’t have the money to go back home.”

The foreign lady who spoke up said everyone gathered outside the police station was a foreigner, and some had locked themselves in their homes due to fear. Police are currently on high alert, ensuring the violence doesn’t continue.

As it’s harvesting season for citrus fruits, the foreigners hope to be given enough time to gather enough money until the season ends, and they can go back home. Meanwhile, fellow Zimbabweans who have been on the ground at the police station have appealed to fellow foreign nationals in Port Elizabeth to donate clothes, toiletries, food, blankets, diapers, and shoes so that people gathered outside the station can have something to eat and wear in the cold weather.

General Shellaz, the Founder and Director of Migrants in South Africa Prisons Support Network, said, “We’ve had a meeting and decided to find a place for the women and children, as being outside here isn’t really safe. We appeal to fellow Zimbabweans to help out with whatever they can. There are over 200 people here.” For security reasons, the location where women and children would be taken has not been revealed.

Further updates to follow