South African president offers apology to Zimbabwe

By John Cassim

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) - The ghost of xenophobia haunted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as he delivered a speech during late Zimbabwean Prime Minister Robert Mugabe's funeral service in capital Harare on Saturday.

“I stand before you to express my regret and to apologise for what has happened in our country,” Ramaphosa said, amid cheers of acknowledgement from the crowd.

Earlier on as the South African leader started delivering his speech at National Sports Stadium, the crowd began to boo ceaselessly.

Ramaphosa tried to continue with his speech, but the booing grew louder until an apology was offered.

“We have been going through acts of violence erupting from some parts of our country, some of which was directed to some nationals from other countries.

"This has led to the death and injury of a number of people some of whom were from foreign countries and the majority were South Africans,” said Ramaphosa.

Earlier this month, violence targeted foreign businesses and nationals in parts of South Africa with the government having to evacuate hundreds of immigrants.

Ramaphosa added that South Africans are not xenophobic and that his government was going to work very hard to embrace the spirit of unity that Mugabe worked for.

Several African leaders gathered at the ceremony to pay their condolences following the death of 95 year old Mugabe at a hospital in Singapore earlier this month.

Mugabe will be buried at a date yet to be announced in a mausoleum at the Heroes Acre becoming the first liberation war hero to be buried in that fashion.