Johannesburg (Sunatimes) South African vice president Kgalema Motlanthe has pledged to support and protect Somali refugees in his country.

Motlanthe noted the challenges faced by Somali refugees in South Africa who are braving indiscriminate killings in the country they sought to seek refuge.

The South African vice president was speaking at Eastern Cape, during a meeting aimed at reaching locals in persuading them against xenophobic attacks against Somali nationals in the country.

The meeting was attended by South African government officials, South African Police service in the region and Somalis conducting business within the region.

Somali Association of South Africa’s Gauteng regional chairman Abdihakin Mohamed Hadi, attending the meeting told Bar-kulan that participants focused on refugee safety in the country.

Hadi said during the meeting they revealed picture illustrating Somali shops looted recently and murdered Somalis, saying that the pictures moved government officials attending the meeting.

By Dahir Alasow