SA churches warn against xenophobic violence, urges dialogue, compassion

SOUTH African Council of Churches (SACC) president Archbishop Sithembile Sipuka has issued an urgent appeal for peace, warning against rising xenophobic violence and hostility towards foreign nationals in South Africa.

In a pastoral letter titled Do Not Turn Away the Stranger dated June 9, the council condemned attacks on migrants while urging communities, churches and authorities to address the root causes of the growing tensions.

SACC said reports from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and Western Cape pointed to an alarming increase in intimidation and violence targeting foreign nationals.

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