Mafikeng Ministers Fellowship(MMF) in the North West Province on Thursday called on churches to dedicate prayers against xenophobia in their weekend services.
“We need to unite in prayers of repentance and unequivocally denounce xenophobia, afrophobia and the shameful atrocities that were committed against our fellow Africans ,” Chairperson of MMF (an interdenominational pastors fellowship), Apostle Zandisile Reginald Mpame said.
Apostle Mpame called on the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate how utterances calls for foreign nationals to leave the country might have fuelled the violence that has resulted in loss of lives, looting of businesses and properties owned by foreign nationals.
Mpame reiterated the call for churches and community structures to work with government to intensify efforts to fight the twin demons of xenophobia and afrophobia that undermine the strides that the country has made towards creating peaceful and integrated communities.
“While urgent intervention is needed to rollback the intolerance and address underlying social and economic challenges that lead to fear, hopelessness and anger,decisive action needs to be taken against those encouraging lawlessness,” Mpame underscored.
Perpetrators of the senseless brutality should be isolated,exposed without fear or favour and be brought to book so that this shameful phenomenon is stamped out,he added.
-TDN
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