"We are fighting each other every day without knowing exactly why and not even checking our origins... we could be related"

THE fuelling of violence among Africans in South Africa and anywhere else in Southern Africa should be discouraged and condemned in the strongest terms.

This is the view of the Ngomani clan, which has roots in Swaziland, Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

The clan held a gathering at Rotterdam village in Makhado, Limpopo, where they discussed many issues including allegations of threats of violence against foreigners by irate Alexandra residents.

The unrest has been led by the Alexandra Bonafide Movement, which is unhappy about foreigners allegedly jumping the queue for RDPs.

According to the clan, the movement's threats are likely to bring back xenophobic skirmishes that had previously taken place in Alexandra itself, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Leaders of the clan have urged their members to preach unity among all Africans in South Africa and southern Africa.

"We are fighting each other every day without knowing exactly why and not even checking our origins... we could be related," Ngavaza Khubayi, the chairman of the clan, said during the weekend gathering.

Duma Kulashe, leader of the Alexandra Bonafide Movement, said: "Our fight is not with any individual who might be a foreign national. It is against the government. We want to access our houses."

- Additional reporting by Katlego Moeng