The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) has called on the African Union and the Southern African Development Community to take action against the South African government over the recurring xenophobic attacks.
In a statement Friday, the NUNW acting general secretary, Job Muniaro, also called on the international community to condemn the violence and to assist rehabilitating, repatriating and resettling all displaced foreigners.
Muniaro urged the Namibian government to pronounce itself on the violence through the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Labor, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation as well as the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation.
He said Namibia should make available funds to be used for repatriating its citizens affected by the violence in South Africa in the event that the South African government declares a state of emergency, all foreigners will not be protected.
The acting secretary general urged all Namibian workers especially truck drivers and businesspeople doing business in South Africa to “refrain from transacting until the situation improves”.
“We are appealing to the government to repatriate students studying in South Africa and any Namibian citizen that desire to return home,” he said.
He further said that the Namibian police should actively review, alert and seek ways with the Interpol to provide safety to foreigners displaced by the violence.
The deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, said on Friday that no Namibian has requested assistance to be evacuated from South Africa.
“We have not received any request and assume all our nationals in South Africa are safe,” she said, adding that the latest violence in South Africa was regrettable.
She, however, said Namibia was happy with the action taken by the South African government when it condemned the violence. Enditem
Source: Xinhua