Former South African former President Thabo Mbeki has faced criticism from Zimbabweans for asserting that the 2008 xenophobic attacks in South Africa were orchestrated by the Zimbabwean opposition.
Speaking at a student event at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria, Mbeki claimed that the violence was a deliberate strategy to force Zimbabweans living in South Africa to return home and vote against then-President Robert Mugabe in the Zimbabwean elections.
The xenophobic attacks, which began in Alexandra, Johannesburg, resulted in at least 62 deaths, injuries to 1,700 people, and the displacement of 100,000 individuals. Mbeki suggested that these attacks were not a spontaneous outbreak of violence but were systematically planned to influence the political situation in Zimbabwe.
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He noted that foreign nationals, including many Zimbabweans and Mozambicans, had lived peacefully in South Africa for years and questioned why such violence would suddenly erupt.
Mbeki disclosed that during his presidency, he received intelligence reports indicating that these attacks were funded and organized by external powers in collaboration with the Zimbabwean opposition. He described the violence as a politically motivated operation aimed at destabilizing the Zimbabwean government.
Here are the reactions on social media
Mtemo:-“This is very wrong. For someone who has stayed in SA, I can confirm that some SAs really hate us.”
Voice:-“Politicians are good at playing this blaming game…… they don’t wanna be accountable for their actions.”
Tukaz:-“When Tsvangirai was still alive, why didn’t you say this?”
Duchess:-“Xenophobia was purely an act by South Africans, and it was horrific… so u wanting to support Mbeki’s claims just because you hate the OPPOSITION is equally xenophobic.”
Tapiwa:-“One of the most offending lines I have ever heard. It never gets better with President “No Crisis” Mbeki. Who in their right set of mind would encourage lacing pregnant women with burning tyres?”
