Migrants must be protected

Cheryllyn Dudley MP - ACDP

Wednesday, 12 September 2001


Horrified at the attacks on Somali migrants in the Kwanobuhle township
of Port Elizabeth, Mrs Cheryllyn Dudley MP for the African Christian
Democratic Party condemned the attacks on innocent migrants and said
that South Africa's treatment of foreigners is indeed a shame.

Mrs Dudley said, "This kind of race - hate attack in Port Elizabeth is
not an isolated incident within the communities of South Africa, but in
fact the official treatment by our Government of foreigners, leaves much
to be desired. Many foreigners have met with prison and the harshest
treatment in South Africa with no help in their predicament. What makes
an alien less human than a citizen, and why is it that murderers and
rapists are protected, but those attracted to this country in the hope
of a better life are discriminated against at every level?"

Mr Dudley said that it is convenient to highlight foreign criminals and
paint all aliens with the same brush. The problem however is
governments' inability to deal with criminals, and not the many
hardworking, sincere foreigners who look to South Africa as a desired
place of residence and who long to be able to positively impact the
economy by utilizing their many skills.

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For more information please call Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520 or
Media Liaison Liza Lambert at 082 478 1037