The Soweto shooting has solicited responses from local and afar.
This follows the shooting of twelve people at a tavern in Nomzamo Park, Soweto, this past weekend by heavily armed gun-men.
A number of casualties has since arisen to 9.
In its statement it read: “The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the shooting incident which took place in the suburb of Soweto in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa and led to deaths and injuries.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar’s firm position on the rejection of violence and terrorism, regardless of the motives and reasons. The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of South Africa.”
This was immediately attended to by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
In its response the department through its spokesperson Clayson Monyela tweeted: “Following my discussions with the Qatar Ambassador to South Africa and the Qatar Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, our good friends at Ministry of Foreign Affairs… have since withdrawn and deleted the statement on the shooting incident in Soweto. We thank them & appreciate their solidarity & support.”
Monyela further reiterated on social media ‘Qatar was a good friend of South Africa’.
The post has since been deleted by The State of Qatar.
Meanwhile, the minister of Police Bheki Cele, following his visit in Soweto today, promised what is known as ‘amaberete’ will be deployed as from this evening.
The Tactical Response Team are known for taking no-nonsense approach.
The locals welcomed the move but said the Gvt is failing to protect them.
“How long should we suffer and live in fear because of these shootings happening week in-week out? We voted for them, now they must protect us. We’re scared,” said a furious Katleho Molele (42) female from Soweto.
In KZN four people were shot dead at another tavern on Saturday evening, and some patrons were shot dead in Katlehong, East Rand over the weekend.
Image (Back on our streets as Amaberete make imminent return to restore order and stability in our communities).
