Cosatu warns of more Alexandras

2008-05-14 14:06

Johannesburg - Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks in Alexandra, at a press briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"I want to send this message: It is not the Zimbabwean (exiles) that cause the problems (of the South African poor)," Vavi said.

He said the capitalist system was the problem and South Africa should focus on building an economic system that could "seriously eradicate poverty".

It was not the Zimbabwean elite that bear the brunt of what was happening in Zimbabwe but the South African poor.

"The poor are double taxed by the consequence of what is happening in Zimbabwe."

He said poor Zimbabwean exiles were "scrambling" for the same resources as poor South Africans.

However, it was not a justification for xenophobic attacks, Vavi said.

He warned that if action on Alexandra was not be taken by the government, there was a danger of "many Alexandras" to follow.

- SAPA