No Kenyan casualties in South Africa immigrant attacks, says Amina Mohamed

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has said Government is closely monitoring the situation in South Africa following outbreak of anti-immigrant violence.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has allayed fears of the possibility of Kenyan victims of ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

She however, stated that he Government has worked out an evacuation plan in preparation for any eventuality, adding that the situation is being monitored closely to ensure the safety of Kenyan nationals.

“The Kenyan Mission in South Africa is working closely with local leaders within the Kenya Diaspora to monitor the situation and is ready to render assistance to any Kenyan national who may be adversely affected,” said Amina.

There has been widespread attacks against foreign nationals and their property in several cities and towns in South Africa in the past one week, violence which flared up days after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini said in remarks reported by local media that foreigners should leave South Africa. He has since said his comments were misinterpreted.

Most of the violent attacks have been carried out in the larger Durban area of Kwa Zulu Natal, leaving four people dead, scores injured and many displaced.

Amina said officers from the Kenya Mission are scheduled to visit the area from Friday, April 17 to meet with Kenyans and assess their situation. About 400 Kenyans are in the central business district of Durban; about 100 work in the informal sector, while another 50 are employees of two sugar farms in the outskirts of Durban city.

In addition, there are about 300 students and lecturers in Kwa Zulu Natal University in Pietermaritzburg.