Third Zimbabwean Dies After Xenophobic Attacks in Addo

Apology Mandiudza, a Zimbabwean, became the third immigrant to die following xenophobic attacks in Addo, ignited by the murder of a local man. His death highlights ongoing violence against immigrants, with no arrests made yet. Many families are displaced, and efforts to repatriate those killed face significant financial challenges.

In a tragic turn of events, a 24-year-old Zimbabwean man, Apology Mandiudza, died in a hospital last Tuesday after suffering severe injuries from a mob attack in Addo. His passing marks the third confirmed death among immigrants involved in xenophobic violence in the area. The unfortunate circumstances leading to these attacks began on May 25, when Jaune September, a 22-year-old South African man, was murdered, igniting violent revenge attacks against immigrants.

The ongoing violence has resulted in unknown numbers of victims, aside from Mandiudza, who worked on a local citrus farm and was in a committed relationship with a South African woman. His niece, Pauline Mhlolo, shared poignant memories, recalling their plans for a future together. She described Mandiudza as quiet and kind, emphasizing the senselessness of his violent death. Notably, Mandiudza was not near the site of the initial attack when he was assaulted, highlighting the chaos and indiscriminate nature of the mob’s violence.

Mandiudza’s family experienced further trauma when their home was broken into, and many of their belongings were stolen. Mhlolo recounted her distressing visit to him in the hospital, “I saw him lying helplessly in his bed at Livingstone Hospital. He was not responding to our voices.” During these xenophobic attacks, many immigrants were targeted, leading to numerous injuries, with many women and children fleeing for safety.

As for the displaced individuals, many sought refuge at Addo Police Station and local church facilities in Gqeberha. However, on June 1, those shelters were visited by immigration officials, resulting in numerous arrests. Out of these, 127 people chose to voluntarily leave the country.

Jaune September’s funeral took place on Saturday, drawing a considerable crowd in a solemn atmosphere. Xolani Jonas, a local ward councillor, issued a call for the immigrant community to return home, hoping to ease tensions in the region. Yet, the situation remains complicated for those affected by the violence.

Chris Mapingure, who heads the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, outlined the struggle of repatriating the three Zimbabweans who lost their lives in these attacks. He disclosed that transporting a single body back to Zimbabwe comes with a hefty price tag of around R32,000. While he has been actively raising funds among Zimbabwean communities in the Eastern Cape to help with this matter, he admitted, “We still have a long way to go.”

The lingering uncertainty around the perpetrators of these attacks is unsettling—no arrests have been made in connection with Jaune September’s murder or the violent responses that followed. As fear takes hold in places like Addo, it’s evident that there’s much work to be done to restore a sense of security and peace among both locals and immigrants.

The recent xenophobic violence in Addo has tragically claimed the lives of multiple immigrants, including Mandiudza, highlighting the ongoing tension in the region. Despite calls for peace and reconciliation, many remain displaced while the pursuit of justice for September’s murder and the ensuing violence continues without any arrests. Financial hurdles further complicate the efforts to repatriate the deceased.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com