Caribbean Labour Solidarity has issued this statement in response to extremely disturbing news and other information coming from South Africa. It appears that certain elements in South Africa are engaged in acts of violence and property damage against non-South Africans. The extent, scope and organisation of these acts are unknown. Reports and videos circulating online appear to show foreign-owned shops being looted and migrants being physically attacked and forcibly removed from communities.

If these terrible acts being committed against fellow Africans are true, then they reflect badly on the country, its standing and the support given by supporters of the liberation struggle during the apartheid years.

It is extremely disappointing to the people of countries that stood with the anti-apartheid struggle, particularly those from the continent that faced the wrath, bombings, assassinations and other acts of violence from the Boer state, to now have their nationals treated this way. Examples include cross-border military raids carried out by the apartheid regime against neighbouring states such as Angola, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia, which resulted in death, destruction and destabilisation. Further, these acts also undermine the current brave and outstanding role played by the South African administration in The Hague in bringing the Zionist apartheid state to account.

The videos, which show horrific assaults against women and general beatings and acts of humiliation, are not, in our opinion, AI-generated. So, their authenticity cannot be vouched for they could be videos from another country, from another time/date and/or totally unrelated to the current situation. Nevertheless, their propagation will be used by the Zionist entity or the United States as a tool to attack and undermine South Africa because of the country’s role at The Hague.

We call on the South African government to clarify the situation and provide credible information as to what is happening in the country. If our perception of the situation is as described above, we ask South African leaders, the Government and all organisations to condemn these vulgar acts of xenophobic violence and to take measures that will protect all residents, restore public confidence, uphold the rule of law and promote unity amongst the peoples of South Africa and the wider African community.

Luke Daniels
President – Caribbean Labour Solidarity