More than 250 Zambians living in South Africa are in hiding after a wave of violent attacks on foreigners spread across the country. Families say they have lost their jobs and homes, and they are appealing to Government to bring them back to Zambia before lives are lost.

The Zambians raised the alarm through a flood of phone calls and WhatsApp voice messages. They asked that their plight be brought to the attention of authorities in Lusaka, describing a situation that has worsened steadily since June.

Mr Michael Musonda, who lives in Durban, said about 50 Zambian families were stranded in KwaZulu-Natal alone. Many have been forced into hiding because the attacks are aimed at foreigners generally, not at any single nationality.

“They are not attacking Nigerians only. Even us Zambians,” Mr Musonda said. “We no longer send our kids to school since June this year. We are not working and well-wishers are the ones keeping us.”

He said the situation took a further turn when landlords were drawn into the conflict. “The situation has degenerated after home owners were also threatened and given an ultimatum to evict us,” he said.

In Pietermaritzburg, also in KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Veronica Bwalya described a life lived almost entirely indoors. She said it had become too dangerous to venture out, and that Zambians who did go into town had learnt to stay silent so they would not draw attention to themselves.

“If you go into town, you need to keep quiet without saying anything,” Ms Bwalya said. “Here in Pietermaritzburg, you cannot even pick up a phone call in a taxi. The moment you do that, you regret answering a phone call.”

Her account points to how foreigners are being identified. Speaking a language other than the local ones, even on a phone call, can expose a person to attack.

For Mr Joseph Katoba, also in Durban, the only way out is home. He said the situation had deteriorated to the point where Zambians could be killed unless Government stepped in to repatriate them.

He said nobody could be certain that no Zambian had already died. “We cannot independently say no Zambian has been killed because not all deaths are recorded here,” Mr Katoba said.

“These people are burning our homes. They are grabbing our properties and the authority here is doing nothing.”

Mr Katoba also raised concerns about the response from Zambia’s diplomatic mission. He said some of the stranded Zambians had gone there for help and come away with nothing.

“Some of us have visited the embassy, but nothing has happened. It is like we are not welcome at the embassy anymore,” he said.

The tension is not confined to KwaZulu-Natal. Mr Gift Mubita Nawa described conditions for foreigners in Johannesburg, Gauteng and Mpumalanga as tense. He said Zambians there had lost both their livelihoods and the goodwill of those who first took them in.

“We are not conducting any business here. We are not working for anyone. We were fired in June and even people who were offering refuge to us are now tired,” Mr Nawa said.

“We thought the situation would improve, but it is getting worse every day. All we are asking for is for the government to help us get back home and start a new life.”

Mr Nawa warned that any further delay could be disastrous. He described a violent attack close to his own home to underline the danger.

“Please help us reach out to the government that our lives are in danger. Any further delay in helping us move out of South Africa will leave us dead,” he said. “As I’m talking to you, my neighbour had his hand amputated just last night by this group of South Africans. They don’t want us here. They are saying they want to rebuild their country.”

Women with children are among the most exposed. Ms Charity Malata, a mother of two, said she had been evicted and could no longer leave the house safely to buy food, even if she had money to do so.

“I can’t go out to buy food. I don’t have money. I was evicted, and these people are coming for me and others here. Please, help us come back home,” Ms Malata said.

Taken together, the accounts describe Zambians who have been out of work since June and who now depend on well-wishers whose support is running thin. Their children have been out of school for months, and some say their homes have been burnt and their belongings taken.

The anti-immigrant protests have since spun out of control, and South African law enforcement agencies are overstretched in trying to contain them.

Those who spoke all made the same request. They are asking Government to arrange their return to Zambia, where they hope to rebuild their lives. They say they have nowhere else to turn after their visits to the diplomatic mission brought no help.

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