MTHWAKAZI Republic Party (MRP) has urged Zimbabweans living in South Africa to take lawful precautions as June 30 approaches, warning that political agitation, vigilantism, criminal opportunism and possible abuses by multiple actors could place vulnerable communities at risk.
The remarks come following reports of an anti-immigration group in South Africa said to have given undocumented foreign nationals in that country until June 30 to leave amid growing tensions.
MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said human life and dignity should come first before politics.
“Zimbabweans should neither participate in violence nor respond violently to provocation,” he said.
“Threats, attacks and unlawful conduct should be documented where it is safe to do so and reported to the appropriate authorities, diplomatic representatives and credible human-rights organisations.”
He stated that no dispute about immigration can justify violence, collective punishment, intimidation or the destruction of another person’s livelihood.
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Moyo emphasised that powers belong to lawful public authorities acting through constitutional institutions, independent courts and established procedures.
“They do not belong to mobs, vigilante groups or private political movements.
“Zimbabweans in South Africa must remain calm, avoid demonstrations and likely confrontation points, keep identification and immigration documents accessible.”
He warned them that they should remain alert to dangers that may come from vigilantes, criminal actors, political agitators or the unlawful conduct of officials.
“The danger facing Zimbabweans in South African streets cannot be separated from the conditions that drove them there.
“Few people leave their homes, their families and their language by choice. They left because governance at home collapsed, because the economy was destroyed, and because the institutions that should have protected them were captured or hollowed out.
“Africa does not lack intelligent, capable or industrious people.
“Africa has too often lacked institutions that allow those people to succeed. Mthwakazi intends to build those institutions.”
He pointed out that as MRP, they were against the politics of exclusion.
“We pledge to be a non-racial, multi-ethnic constitutional democracy rooted in the rule of law, in which inclusion is the governing principle and exclusion has no lawful place.
“We ask the world not to look away, watch June 30, watch the treatment of Zimbabweans and other migrants in South Africa and watch what continues to happen inside Zimbabwe.”
Protest organiser March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma denies that their actions are xenophobic.
The protesters say they are sick of other Africans abusing the system.
King Bulelani Lobengula kaMzilikazi Khumalo’s spokesperson Bornman Khumalo said they are trying to engage the responsible authorities over the issue.
“We are trying to engage the responsible authorities so that we can find an amicable solution to this matter,” Khumalo said.
Matabeleland South Senator Solani Moyo also raised concerns that most of the people from Matabeleland South are now based in South Africa due to economic hardships back home.
Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly dismissed the deadline as unofficial, warning citizens against vigilantism and noting that security forces are on alert to maintain public order.