government's efforts to stop the xenophobic violence were yielding
desired results.
The minister said some unscrupulous elements have been using the
social media to instill fear in different parts of the country by
sending out fictitious SMS and WhatsApp messages with fictitious and
photoshopped images, warning people of imminent attacks.
He blamed the messages on those he described as elements "bent on
taking advantage of the situation create panick among the people.
Gigaba spoke on government's efforts to prevent the attacks on foreign
nationals in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng that have left at least six
people dead.
"At this point, we are satisfied that the security measures that are
currently in place are sufficient to bring the situation under
control," Gigaba said in Pretoria.
He said President Jacob Zuma led efforts to halt the attacks by
calling off a trip to Indonesia to attend to the ongoing attacks.
President Zuma was due to leave for Indonesia on Saturday evening to
attend the Africa-Asia summit but his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa will
attend the summit on his behalf.
The minister said: "President Zuma appointed the ministers of State
Security, Home Affairs and Police to spearhead the government's
response to the violence.
"The team was further strengthened by the president when he tasked the
whole justice crime prevention and security cluster as well as the
ministers of International Affairs and Cooperation, Small Business
Development, Trade and Industry and Social Development departments to
demonstrate the serious nature of which our government views the
violence against foreign nationals."
Gigaba said Zuma visited displaced foreign nationals in Chatsworth on
Saturday to assure them of the government's support.
The minister said: "The president also engaged with the Umlazi
community to spread to the message of peace and tolerance," Gidaba
said.
"He (Zuma) will in the next week, lead a stakeholders' outreach
programme around the country to engage communities to start a
conversation within our society."
Warning perpetrators of xenophobic violence, Gidaba said anybody found
wanting will face the full might of the law.
"We want to issue a stern warning to those who lend themselves to acts
of public violence. We will find you and you will be dealt with to the
full might of the law," Gigaba said in Pretoria.
According to him, the 307 people so far arrested for related acts
since the attacks broke out last week will face prosecution. Special
courts have also been set up to deal with perpetrators speedily.
Gigaba informed that there were 'elements' that were taking advantage
of the violence to plunge the country into anarchy.
"Over the past few days we have noticed a new phenomenon where people
make use of social media to instill fear in different parts of the
country," Gigaba said.
"They have been sending out fictitious SMS and WhatsApp messages with
fictitious and photoshopped images warning people of imminent
attacks."
He said these messages appeared to be orchestrated by elements "bent
on taking advantage of unease in the communities and instill fear
among the people".
"The misinformation that has been taking place on social media should
be condemned by all peace-loving South Africans as well as foreign
nationals living in our country," Gigaba said.
Gigaba assured the international community that South Africa was doing
everything possible to stem the violence.
He condemned false rumours spread over social media platforms warning
of attacks on foreign nationals.
Gidaba said: "There will be no bus or train coming to attack South
Africans or foreign nationals anywhere. We are determined that if
there is any such information that is accurate we will stop those
buses and act.
"As a government, we remain alert and any credible information that
suggests an imminent threat against any community, South Africans will
be officially advised by relevant authorities.
"We will not communicate it through WhatsApp messages and anonymous texts."
"To the countries that continue to invest in South Africa, we want to
reassure them that South Africa is a constitutional democracy governed
by the rule of law."
--TheNation
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