When three non-governmental organizations launched a collective appeal this weekend to end attacks on foreigners in South Africa, a leading violence expert on Monday warned of the danger and negative impact of xenophobic sentiment on society. With anti-foreign national emotions fueled by the recent visit of Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema to three restaurants in Midrand’s Mall of Africa – to confirm whether owners have pursued discriminatory policies and favored foreigners’ employment – Institute for Security Studies head of justice and violence prevention program Gareth Newham criticized politicians for fomenting a…
When three non-governmental organizations launched a collective appeal this weekend to end attacks on foreigners in South Africa, a leading violence expert on Monday warned of the danger and negative impact of xenophobic sentiment on society.
With anti-foreign national emotions fueled by the recent visit of Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema to three restaurants in Midrand’s Mall of Africa – to confirm whether owners have pursued discriminatory policies and favored foreigners’ employment – Institute for Security Studies head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Program Gareth Newham criticized politicians for fomenting anti-immigrant stance.
“When politicians and public figures use their positions to fuel anti-foreign national sentiment, or to create the impression that foreigners are the root of our problems – unemployment or crime – that is very dangerous,” Newham said.
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“We saw large-scale violent attacks in 2008, in which 69 people were killed, foreigners were murdered and their shops were looted.
“Any leader would do what he can to ensure that the facts about foreigners in the country are known, which is that they are not causing these problems, but in many cases are the solution.”
South Africa, he added, did not have enough skills “to solve all our problems”.
“When we work with people from other countries to improve our society, we are more likely to make a better society.
“If you have leaders who are mainly in politics for power, money and their own interests, they start behaving in such a way that they divert people’s attention from their shortcomings and try to blame vulnerable groups such as foreigners,” said Newham.
In a collective call for South Africans to embrace foreigners, the African Diaspora Forum, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Ansarul Ummah Til Islam said: “The calls of various political parties and community activists to forcibly remove migrants from their homes; and to count the number of foreigners working in South African restaurants is very disturbing.
“This year marks seven years since Mozambican shop owner Emmanuel Sithole was stabbed to death in Alexandra.
“Despite this, we continue to see xenophobic sentiment being actively fueled, with little to no sanctions for those behind the incendiary vitriol and recurring attacks.
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“The blatant disregard for the human rights of migrants, the rule of law and the constitution is something that requires immediate intervention from law enforcement, the government and leaders in all sectors of society – Chapter 9 institutions and the South African Human Rights Commission. ”
The statement added: “We note the plight, particularly of young people, who tirelessly queue up in twisting lines to get”
Submit resumes for job openings without success.
“This superficial view ignores the systemic problems of corruption and imprisonment that have dismantled our economy.
“It ignores the continued failure of the state at all levels to provide hope and economic opportunity to the majority of South Africans.
“It also ignores reports of corruption and the inefficiency of the Interior Department in processing migrant, asylum and refugee documents.”
