Further Update on the Addo Violence in Eastern Cape
By Natalie Nyathi
The people’s General Shellaz, along with other leaders, went to apologize to the family of the South African local who was murdered at a tavern in Addo township by foreign nationals who later fled the scene. The family of the deceased seemed to welcome the apology rendered by Shellaz on behalf of all Zimbabweans in Addo for what their fellow brethren had done. The family rose from their seats to hug and comfort Shellaz as he broke down while giving his apology speech.
Shellaz promised the family and the community that they would do everything in their power to assist the police in bringing justice for the young man who was murdered.
“We are willing to hold hands with the police so that justice is served. We were never raised to be what happened by what was done by our brothers, but we appeal to the community of Valencia: please accept our apologies. May the good Lord bless and keep you, September family, and may He heal your wounded heart,” he said.
The deceased’s father expressed that he had never heard of foreigners; he only learned about them on Sunday when his son was murdered. To him and his family, there was no discrimination based on color, and they cared for everyone. He even mentioned that his son’s friends were Zimbabweans and Nigerians.
Earlier this morning, it is believed that Home Affairs raided the safe places where children and women were kept, as well as the location where the men who had been left behind were staying. They locked everyone in cells from as early as 4:30 AM, saying they wanted to profile everyone so that when they returned home, they wouldn’t have trouble along the way.
According to Shellaz, they were locked in cells within the police station without clothes, shoes, or food. Later, they were offered bread and soup, which the foreign nationals refused because they wanted their own food, donated by well-wishers.
General Shellaz reported around 3 PM that the men locked in the cells had not eaten anything that day. “We had to negotiate for four guys to be released from the cells so they could prepare pap since they hadn’t had breakfast or anything at all. The food was there, and we had to ask if these people had been arrested. We were told that they had not been arrested; they were just busy with them.”
“As it stands, we don’t know if they will be released or not, but we know that yesterday there had been talks of these people going back to their homes and places of work. Today, the story is different. We don’t know what is happening, but it seems the Home Affairs officials are taking advantage of these people, who are also victims. They are not the ones who murdered the young man; they are also victims of this crisis. We heard that representatives from the consulate have been expected since morning to talk to Home Affairs and assist these people in returning home or finding a solution to the situation, but until now, none of them have come to speak with any of the victims. We have heard that they are in Port Elizabeth today,” he said.
We will keep you posted on the outcome.
