The resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa

FOR over four consecutive weeks from February 18, South Africa witnessed a resurgence of xenophobic violence in parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria. In those incidents, many foreigners, mostly blacks from other African countries, had their properties destroyed. Some persons were killed and several others injured. Although President Jacob Zuma condemned the attacks as criminal acts, the incidents have become a signpost of post-apartheid South Africa that is unacceptable and must be stopped from recurring.

Many Nigerian nationals in South Africa were victims of these attacks.  Although no Nigerians were reported killed, they had their properties destroyed, and some are now displaced. Not a few Nigerians are angry at this behaviour of South Africans. They are also angry that the Federal Government is slow in responding to the attacks. Disappointed by the slow and weak response of the government, some of them have threatened reprisals against South African citizens and businesses in the country if the South Africa government does not take immediate and effective measures to address the issue and prevent a recurrence.

Members of both chambers of the National Assembly are also piqued at the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa, berating the executive arm of government for not engaging the South African government seriously on the attacks. They are also disappointed that the attacks have been persistent despite the Federal Government’s previous engagement with the South African government on ensuring an end to the killings and attacks. Many Nigerians bemoan the lack of appreciation of Nigeria’s remarkable contributions to the liberation of South Africa from the clutches of apartheid.  It is important to note that these attacks have occurred several times in the past decade, sometimes going on unreported by the media depending on their scale. Since 1994, tens of thousands of people have been harassed, attacked or killed because of their status as outsiders or foreign nationals in some cities in South Africa. Nigerian residents have been prime victims; hundreds have lost their lives.

Xenophobic attacks in South Africa reflect citizens’ discontent and hostility towards foreign nationals, especially fellow Africans whom they hold responsible for the failures of post-apartheid governments of the ANC to provide jobs and social services, and reduce inequality by raising the quality of life of the majority of black South Africans. They vent their frustrations and discontent on blacks from other African countries that they accuse of taking their jobs and dealing in hard drugs and other illegal businesses. These have resulted in cases of murder, injuries, threats of mob violence, looting and destruction of residential property and businesses, as well as mass displacement.

Clearly, there is a prevailing anti-immigrant sentiment fuelled by political scapegoating of foreigners in South Africa. It seems that many local residents have become increasingly convinced that foreign nationals are to blame  for  all their socioeconomic ills and hardships including poverty, unemployment, poor service delivery, lack of business space and opportunities, crime, prostitution, drug and alcohol abuse, and deadly diseases. It is also clear that such attacks are not spontaneous. They are usually triggered by political mobilisation led by local leaders, hence they sometimes occur in the presence of security agents.

Sadly, since 1994, only a few perpetrators have been charged, and fewer convicted. In some instances, state agents have actively protected those accused of anti-foreigner violence. The South African government has not made serious efforts to hold mandated institutions such as the police and the intelligence community accountable for their failure to prevent and stop xenophobic violence despite visible warning signs. The government promised to set up special courts to enable quick prosecutions after the 2008 and 2015 violence, but this has not materialised.The government continues to see it as a crime rather than xenophobic violence or hate crime that requires a more comprehensive intervention.

Many African governments whose citizens have been victims of xenophobic attacks have expressed disappointment at the government of South Africa for its ineffective and weak response to dealing with perpetrators of the act and failure to prevent its recurrence. The time has come for a stronger and more concerted effort to prevail on the South African government to be firm and proactive on the issue.  The government must let the people know that foreigners have been useful to South Africa and that they cannot drive foreign populations out of their communities.

The Nigerian government should lead the initiative to strongly object to the way the government of South Africa is responding to the situation at the bilateral and multilateral levels. It must take a strong stance on the issues.  If President Zuma could visit Nigeria over the MTN case, the Nigerian president could make a similar move over the attacks. We, however, enjoin those who propose reprisals on South African interests in Nigeria to sheathe their swords.  A strong diplomatic approach can help to resolve the matter.