MTN Group Chair Condemns Xenophobic Attacks in S’Africa, says It won’t Stop Socioeconomic Crises

Mcebisi Jonas, MTN Group chairman, has condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying the exit of foreigners will not address the country’s underlying socioeconomic crises.

Jonas addressed South Africans at the funeral service of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant, Thokozani Damasane.

The group chair leveraged the platform to deliver a sweeping and unsparing condemnation of the ongoing anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa, calling for a return to “national consciousness”.

“Foreigners can leave tomorrow — inequality will be with us,” Jona told the congregation.

“Foreigners will leave tomorrow — unemployment will be with us. Foreigners will leave tomorrow — our police will remain corrupt. Foreigners will leave tomorrow – our politicians will still be concerned with one thing: being elected and re-elected.”

‘XENOPHOBIA IS THE FAILURE OF THE STATE’

Addressing the gathering, the executive blamed the state for the attacks on foreigners in the country.

Jonas said the failure of the state created a fertile ground for political manipulation.

“The problem is the failure of the state,” he said.

“The state doesn’t manage immigration. It doesn’t manage its borders. It doesn’t enforce law enforcement. It doesn’t manage education. What are you expecting?

“When people feel the burn, they become vulnerable to politicians whose sole purpose is to be elected and re-elected.

“Some of them have no credibility whatsoever. But they lead marches and tell our people that the problem is not us — it is foreigners.”