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Cope: What became of government’s special xenophobia courts?

The courts “were to show no mercy to perpetrators of xenophobic violence”.

But‚ said the Congress of the People (Cope) on Wednesday‚ two months after minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe announced the formation of special courts in provinces in which xenophobia attacks occurred‚ nothing has happened.

“Cope calls upon the government to make public the progress that the state was making in setting up these special xenophobia courts‚” said Cope’s Dennis Bloem.

“We also want to know how many people are facing charges in the different provinces and when they will come to court to answer those charges.”

Bloem said the only court process his party was aware of “relates to the murder of Marcia Sithole‚ who was killed in Alexandra township”.

Sithole’s death was captured in chilling images by Sunday Times photographer James Oatway.

“When will the state prosecute all the others? The government and (Radebe) have seemingly gone underground‚” said Bloem.

“During these attacks‚ seven foreigners lost their lives. Looters and vandals destroyed scores of shops owned by foreign nationals. Damages ran into millions of rand. Our country suffered very serious reputational damage.

“Is government going to renege on its promises?” asked Bloem.

 

 

 

 

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