Pretoria - Cabinet has re-established the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to focus on threats of attacks on foreign nationals possibly after the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"Following reports of possible attacks on foreign nationals after the World Cup, Cabinet decided to re-establish the IMC to focus and deal with incidents and threats of attacks on foreign nationals," said government spokesperson Themba Maseko at a post-cabinet briefing on Thursday.
The IMC was set up in 2008 after a wave of xenophobic violence swept the country leading to the deaths of about 60 foreign nations.
Maseko said the IMC will liaise with civil society structures to ensure that a country-wide approach is adopted to prevent any form of violence against anyone.
He said government would like to re-iterate that any attacks are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
"The law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to act speedily and decisively against anyone found to incite or participate in violent acts against foreign nationals," he said.
The IMC, which will be convened by the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, will include Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma; Social Development Minster Edna Molewa; State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele; Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga; Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka; Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane.
