Third Zimbabwean Dies After Xenophobic Attacks in Addo

Apology Mandiudza, a Zimbabwean man, died following injuries from xenophobic violence in Addo, South Africa. His death marks the third immigrant fatality linked to retaliation after the murder of Jaune September. With little progress on justice and logistical challenges for repatriating the deceased, the immigrant community is in distress, facing homelessness and fear as violence continues.

In a tragic sequence of events, a third Zimbabwean man has succumbed to injuries sustained in xenophobic violence in Addo, South Africa. Apology Mandiudza, a 24-year-old, passed away in the hospital last Tuesday, following a severe mob attack on May 25. This incident was prompted by the murder of Jaune September, a 22-year-old South African, whose death has sparked a series of retaliatory assaults on foreign nationals. The unrest has claimed the lives of four immigrants, two of whom are Zimbabwean and one Malawian, although their identities remain undisclosed.

Mandiudza was just starting his life in a new country, working on a citrus farm, and had a romantic relationship that seemed to be leading toward marriage. Despite his lack of connection to the incident that provoked the mob violence, he became an unintended victim, suffering head injuries inflicted by a sharp object. His niece, Pauline Mhlolo, expressed her despair over witnessing Mandiudza in his last moments at Livingstone Hospital, describing him as responsive yet ultimately helpless. “I saw him lying helplessly in his bed,” she recounted, highlighting the painful reality faced by many immigrant families caught in such turmoil.

The xenophobic attacks, which left many immigrant men severely injured, have also displaced hundreds of women and children, forcing them to seek refuge at local facilities such as the Addo Police Station and a church in Gqeberha. However, the desperate search for safety turned grim as immigration officers conducted inspections on June 1, resulting in the detention of hundreds of individuals. Out of those, 127 opted for voluntary deportation due to the unsettled conditions.

The funeral of Jaune September took place on Saturday and was marked by calmness despite the ongoing turmoil. Local officials, including ward councillor Xolani Jonas, encouraged the immigrant community to return to their homes, a difficult proposition under current circumstances. Meanwhile, Chris Mapingure, who leads the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, faces daunting logistical challenges in repatriating the remains of the three deceased Zimbabweans. Transporting a single body to Zimbabwe carries a hefty price tag of approximately R32,000, and despite efforts to raise funds from the Eastern Cape’s Zimbabwean community, a significant amount still needs to be sourced. “We still have a long way to go,” Mapingure lamented, reflecting the heavy burden on communities mourning those lost to violence.

The ongoing strife not only highlights the dangers faced by immigrants in South Africa but also points to a pressing need for greater measures to protect foreign nationals. As families mourn and struggle for support, the failures of law enforcement in bringing those responsible to justice only add to the sense of despair among the affected communities.

The death of Apology Mandiudza adds to a growing number of victims of xenophobic violence in South Africa, raising critical concerns about the safety of immigrant communities. While responses have included community support and funeral preparations, significant challenges remain in addressing the underlying issues and ensuring justice for the victims. With financial burdens for repatriating the deceased and the lack of arrests, the situation appears increasingly dire for those affected by this senseless violence.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com