‘Xenophobic attacks’ on advocate condemned

The SA Legal Practice Council (LPC) has expressed concern over the ‘xenophobic attacks’ on Advocate Simba Chitando who is involved in a court case regarding the issue of Zimbabwean Special Dispensation permits issued by the Department of Home Affairs. Chitando, who is representing about 250 000 Zimbabweans in the Gauteng High Court in their quest to become permanent residents, has received multiple death threats. Chitando told Moneyweb that ‘it’s disconcerting and is not a good look for SA, particularly given its history of xenophobic attacks’. ‘It’s not the first time I have received threats as an advocate, but this is certainly the most alarming,’ he added. SA has been reported to the International Criminal Court over xenophobic attacks against foreign truck drivers. In a statement received by Legalbrief, the LPC said legal practitioners should be allowed to fulfil their mandate of providing professional, principled, legal representation to the public without fear or favour. ‘The country is still reeling from the effect of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals that took place in the recent past,’ the LPC said in the statement.