Busi Chimombe

Former African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has cautioned against South Africa isolating itself from the rest of the continent. This is on the eve of the June 30 shutdown, which has seen the country criticised by others on the continent, for being anti-African and xenophobic. Dlamini-Zuma was speaking at a National Democratic Revolution Seminar in Houghton, north of Johannesburg.

Many of South Africa’s political parties have rejected the planned 30 June Shutdown by anti-illegal immigrant groups. Amongst the reasons for their opposition is the need for the rule of law to be observed and possible violence to be avoided. The country is on high alert ahead of Tuesday, which has been declared by groups such as March and March and Operation Dudula as the cut-off date for undocumented immigrants to be in the country.

The African National Congress (ANC) has urged South Africans to use democratic processes and observe the rule of law in resolving the challenges they face. ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Supra Mahumapelo says this on behalf of the party’s first deputy secretary Nomvula Mokonyane during an online rally on Saturday. Participants in the rally hosted by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundations rejected the 30 June Shutdown.