Zambians to march against South Africa's xenophobic violence

Concerned Zambians will on Friday stage peaceful demonstrations against current attacks directed at foreigners in South Africa, a statement obtained on Thursday said.

The concerned Zambians will join other African countries and march to the South African and Zimbabwe Embassies to present a petition demanding an end to xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

"We have planned to march to the Zimbabwean Embassy too in order to petition President Robert Mugabe who is currently the African Union chairperson. We are optimistic that the Zimbabwean Embassy in Zambia and in particular the ambassador will quickly deliver the petition to President Mugabe as AU Chairperson for immediate action," the statement said.

The organizers have since asked peace loving citizens of Africa living in Zambia to turn out in numbers and join the march.

"Zambia and other countries like Tanzania sacrificed a great deal to rescue South Africa from the shackles of apartheid," the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Embassy in South Africa has issued a travel advisory for Zambians traveling to South Africa to exercise caution in the light of xenophobic attacks on foreigners.

While acknowledging that no Zambians have been affected by xenophobic attacks, Zambia's High Commissioner to South Africa Muyeba Chikonde said the travel advisory has been issued due to the high threat of attacks on foreigners in South Africa.

The Zambian envoy said the Embassy was engaging South African government departments to ensure the safety of Zambians, adding that Zambians traveling to or residing in that country were being asked to register with the Embassy to make it easier to contact them.

The spate of violence erupted on March 25 in Isipingo, an impoverished township near Durban and has so far spread to nearby townships. Endi