Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Malawi have condemned attacks on immigrants in South Africa and have demanded an apology from SA president Cyril Ramaphosa for the lives lost.
The activists made the demand yesterday in Lilongwe during a press briefing which the CSOs organized at Golden Peacock in Lilongwe. 
Chairperson of the CSOs Robert Mkwezalamba strongly condemned the behavior of attacking black immigrants in South Africa on the ground that they are living in South Africa illegally established.
“Ramaphosa should apologize for the lives lost during the attack,” he said.
Mkwezalamba added that the organization would like to send a strong message to all SADC heads of governments to protect citizens in this region by rising up to the occasion to condemn and criticise Ramaphosa for his inconsideration on the matter.
“They are attacking other nationals who are doing businesses and entrepreneurs for the reasons known by themselves,” he said.
He said as CSOs, they are calling on fellow CSOs, trade Unionists, Religious Community, media and all citizens in SADC and Africa as a whole to rise up and against Xenophobia.
Mkwezalamba added that there is no way they can restrict Malawians to travel because it is their right to travel to any country.
According to Mkwezalamba, what is needed is for Malawi government to sign an agreement with the South African Government on who should travel rather than abusing the people.
The CSOs have declared that they shall commence legal proceedings against the South African Government and it’s president if the situation does not change
Mkwezalamba then appealed to all Malawians not to partake any acts of violence against any South African nationals in the country.
Hundreds of Malawians have been forced out of their homes following the attacks and the Malawi Government is planning to repatriate those who want to come back to Malawi.
