Former president Thabo Mbeki added his voice on Monday to those condemning the spate of attacks on immigrants in Pretoria last week.
He was speaking at his inauguration as chancellor of the University of South Africa in Pretoria on Monday. Mbeki succeeds tax ombudsman Judge Bernard Ngoepe.
"All of us know that our country faces many socioeconomic challenges," said Mbeki. "Not any of these problems will be solved by attacking foreign immigrants."
He said SA should not forget the enormous sacrifices made by other African counties in its liberation struggle.
Mbeki said the country should not characterise African migrants as criminals.
Communities should report crime to the police‚ regardless of the nationalities of perpetrators.
"The SAPS has an obligation to follow up on all crime reports‚" Mbeki said.
TMG Digital
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