Alex - Winnie says sorry

2008-05-14 17:13

Johannesburg - Leading ANC figure Winnie Madikizela-Mandela apologised to foreigners in Alexandra on Wednesday after they fled their homes out of fear for their lives.

"I am sorry ... It is not all South Africans that are like this," she told the group who had sought safety at Alexandra police station.

Madikizela-Mandela's visit came three days after the eruption of violence and xenophobic attacks in the sprawling township north of Johannesburg.

Madikizela-Mandela, an NEC member of the African National Congress, was accompanied by several Gauteng MECs.

Dozens of displaced residents remained at the police station on Wednesday afternoon.

Gilbert Sibanda, who was among the displaced residents that Madikizela-Mandela spoke to, said: "These people (the attackers) were not sent by the public and that they were not citizens of South Africa."

Sibanda said he was told the government was trying to sort out the problem and ensure that those displaced got their homes back.

Sibanda said was beaten up and robbed on Monday during the attacks.

- SAPA