In an interview this week, the co-ordinator, Oliver Kubikwa, said Zipova appreciated efforts by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC “to tame the lion” in government, but the situation was still not conducive to people returning home.
“If you try to tame an animal like the lion, one day it will eat you. The MDC is trying to tame Zanu (PF) but they will never change,” said Kubikwa.
People would only go home once there was employment creation, he added.
Ugly scenes of xenophobia continue to be the order of the day in South Africa.
Zipova maintains its participation in the talks about xenophobia with the City of Johannesburg authorities, but Kubikwa said there was a marked lack of the political on the part of people in the SA government and the police.
“These meetings are actually an eye-opener for those who want to learn how to attack without being caught. Xenophobia is something that is acceptable to them, that is why even the police are xenophobic in their approach. If a South African robs a shop owned by a foreigner nothing happens to him and reporting the matter is only a formality,” said Kubikwa who also related an incident where a policeman shot dead a man after failing to rob him.
One strange development Zimbabweans are facing in Johannesburg is the demand for South African identity papers made by some prospective employers. Thousands of Zimbabweans have obtained such papers with the help and encouragement of politicians especially at election periods.
“They want us to vote for them but soon after the elections they take away the cards,” Kubikwa said.
This illegal process is said to have enabled many Zimbabweans to occupy posts in a good number of industrial sectors, particularly the construction and hospitality industries.
Widespread absenteeism and the generally negative work ethic of many South Africans, had resulted in the majority of manual work in the construction industry being in the hands of foreigners, said Kubikwa.
The government is aware of that reality following complaints by employers, who have complained if they did not use foreigners they would not be able to meet their deadlines.
More Zimbabweans are expected to flock to South Africa this year because shortage of food is expected to knock on the doors of many following the patchy rain.
Zipovas goal is to achieve social integration for foreigners through dramas that educate South Africans about the cultural norms of foreigners and to establish some relationships by involving non-governmental organisations.
Post published in: News