Tanzania: Lawmakers want govt to react on South African Xenophobic attacks

What you need to know:

  • Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly says the government has its own way of issuing statements when there is need.
  • Three MPs sought the Speaker's guidance after over the ongoing attacks in South Africa.

Dodoma. A section of Tanzanian Members of Parliament demanded on Wednesday September 4 that action be taken to condemn xenophobic violence reported in South Africa.

AFP has quoted South African police saying five people have so far been killed in a surge of xenophobic violence in the country as President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to clamp down and the African Union, Nigeria and Zambia condemned the attacks.

Hordes of people -- some armed with axes and machetes -- gathered in Johannesburg's central business district for a third day of unrest directed against foreigners.

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Tanzanian MPs sought the Speaker's guidance in the National Assembly over the ongoing attacks.

Mr Elibariki Kingu (Singida West-CCM) demanded that the government issue a statement on the matter.

"I was talking with a Tanzanian living in South Africa and told me that his shop was smashed. South Africans are attacking their fellow Africans who some of them supported the country in the struggle for liberation. Can the government issue a statement on this xenophobic incident?" asked Mr Kingu.

 Mr John Heche (Tarime-Chadema) also stood up over the same issue but he proposed a different approach.

"I suggest the House to postpone its business to discuss this xenophobic issue. Several governments have already voiced against the habit as a chair of Sadc, Tanzania government should also condemn this," said Mr Heche as he also sought Speaker's guidance.

Mr Oscar Mukasa (Biharamulo West-CCM) also stood for the same issue wanting the government to condemn the violence.

However, in her response, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Tulia Ackson said Tanzania Parliament did not have authority to issue statement on the matter.

"It's sad to hear the xenophobic incidents but we cannot discuss it here. The government also has its own way of issuing statements when there is need. I believe it will do so in response to this at the time it thinks is right," she said.

The five reported deaths -- most of them South Africans -- have been reported, police said, adding that 189 people had been arrested.

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