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Zim student body calls for attacks on SA businesses

Harare - Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) president Gilbert Mutubuki has called on Zimbabwean youths to retaliate against xenophobic violence in South Africa by attacking South African businesses operating in Zimbabwe.

Zinasu is Zimbabwe's largest students body which represents thousands of students at all universities and colleges across the country.

At least five people have been killed - including a teenager - and 46 people have been arrested since the violence flared in Isipingo, outside Durban on Friday in South Africa. Around 7 000 people of different nationalities are living in tents provided by the provincial government for those displaced by the violence.

Addressing journalists in Harare after an anti-xenophobia demonstration organised by Zimbabwe civic society groups at the South African Embassy, Mutubuki said it was high time the country's youths retaliated by attacking South African businesses operating in Zimbabwe such as Pick n Pay and others.

"Right now we have South African businesses such as Pick n Pay operating freely here, but our brothers are being butchered in South Africa. Today in the morning, South African students  at  the University of  Zimbabwe were having  breakfast freely  in the  dining hall, but our  sisters and  brothers are getting  killed. It's high time we should do the same to all South African businesses here until they stop all this nonsense,” said an angry Mutubuki.

South Africa is home to all

Mutubuki’s call came after over 300 Zimbabwe human rights and civic society activists demonstrated at the South African embassy located in the Belgravia area in Harare this morning.

The protesters were denouncing King Goodwill Zwelithini and President Jacob Zuma son Edward, accusing the two of sparking the xenophobic violence in South Africa.  There were also waving placards  inscribed  with messages  like “South Africa  is  not island and should stop this nonsense” and “Stop it, South Africa”, “Africa is home to all” among others.

The demonstrators also handed over a petition to South African Embassy officials.

The protesters were later dispersed by heavily armed Zimbabwe police.

Some of the South African business operating in Zimbabwe include Pick n Pay, Edgars and Standard Bank among others.

South Africa, with a population of about 50 million, is home to an estimated five million immigrants. Over one million Zimbabweans are believed to be living in South Africa as economic or political refugees.

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