Former president Thabo Mbeki has revealed that the deadly 2008 xenophobic attacks in Alexandra, Johannesburg, were part of a deliberate campaign to convince Zimbabweans to return home and vote out Robert Mugabe.
Mbeki revealed the surprising findings last Wednesday during a student engagement at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria.
He said that the operation was driven by a planned effort to force Zimbabweans to return home and vote against then-President Robert Mugabe.
In March of 2008, both Mugabe and the head of the opposition, Morgan Tsvangirai, were unable to secure a 50% majority, which meant that a run-off election was set for June.
According to Mbeki, there has never been any conflict when a large number of foreign residents from various African countries settled in Alexandra Township.
“Historically, the African community here (referring to South Africa) has never been xenophobic about other Africans. In 2008 all manner of troubles broke out in Alexandra township in Johannesburg, attacks on these foreigners, particularly Zimbabweans.”
He said that the government made a mistake by not disclosing an intelligence document about what transpired in that area year.
Mbeki went on to disclose that the intelligence report included names, locations, dates, and other details where individuals met and strategised the plot to repatriate the foreign nationals.
The former president expressed sorrow for not declassifying the report during his tenure.
He asserted that foreigners are not to blame for the economic problems faced in South Africa.
Mbeki stated that the nation’s rapidly rising unemployment rate is one of the many factors causing the economic crisis and that it must be addressed.
Mbeki expanded on the events of 2008 by calling the violence “naked criminal activity” in his most recent comments regarding the attacks.
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