Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zambians living in Durban have praised Government for showing concern for its citizens in the wake of the violence against foreign nationals that has rocked some parts of the city.
It has, meanwhile, also further been established that no Zambian has, so far, been caught up in the violence which started almost two weeks ago.
This came to light during meetings in Durban between Zambians resident in the city and officials from the Zambia High Commission in South Africa.
Those met said they were not aware of any Zambian in Durban or other parts of South Africa that had been injured or killed in the xenophobic attacks.
Mulenga Chilufya, a vice-president for Tiyende Pamodzi Zambia Association, an organisation of Zambians living in Durban, said the members were impressed with Government’s timely intervention to send its officials to Durban to assess the situation.
The visit also established that no Zambian is in a situation that would warrant evacuation by the Government following the attacks on foreign nationals.
And a check at temporary camps where foreigners who have fled the violence are being kept by South African authorities revealed that there were no Zambians who have gone there to seek refuge.
Site Manager, at Westcliff grounds camp in Chartsworth, Bheka Mbuthuma said the camp had about 1, 500 inhabitants comprising Zimbabweans, Malawians and Mozambicans.
The delegation from the Mission comprises Zambia’s Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Joe Kaunda; First Secretary for Political Affairs, Josephat Sakala; First Secretary for Immigration, Joyce Chimalilo and First Secretary for Press & Public Relations, Nicky Shabolyo.
Mr. Kaunda told a group of Zambians on Saturday that President Edgar Lungu has taken personal interest in the matter and has constantly been in touch with Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Muyeba Chikonde, from the time the violence broke out and that the President was happy that the Mission dispatched officers to Durban.
Mr. Chikonde has also been in frequent touch with Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Harry Kalaba.
Mr. Kaunda said the High Commission had to travel to Durban because of the concerns that it had about the safety and well-being of Zambians in the area. Mr. Kaunda said the Mission has been proactive and has since held meetings with Zambians in Gauteng and taken various other steps aimed at ensuring that everyone felt safe.
The High Commission issued a travel advisory which it has also placed on its website and Face Book page.
Mr. Kaunda appealed to all Zambians in South Africa, particularly those farther from Pretoria, to take advantage of the online registration exercise launched last year so that they were properly accounted for.
This is contained in a statement released to Qfm News by Press Secretary at the Zambian Mission in South Africa Nicky Shabolyo.