THE STATE OF XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE IN SA
1. INTRODUCTION
Racist & xenophobic violence and sentiment rising across the world
Racism & xenophobia cuts across religious and cultural divides – threaten:
Communities of ethnic (ex. Venda) or national minorities (ex. White Afrikaner), including immigrants
(individuals seen derogatively: referred as “Shangaan”), general citizens (ex. Farmers), long-time
residents (ex. Local Blacks) mistakenly seen as “makwerekwere” & newcomers (ex. individuals from
across SA borders)
Most vulnerable groups in SA experiencing Xenophobia: immigrants, Farmers, White Afrikaans speaking
citizens & refugees
SA & its dominant economic power on the continent has become an attractive destination for millions of
(un)documented migrants from continent
Since replacement of Apartheid regime by democratic government in SA
(Un)documented migration to SA increased notably after downfall of neighbouring Zimbabwe
Massive uncertainty about extent of migration created by range of estimated migration numbers -
estimated migrant numbers between 800 000 – 9 000 000 in SA
2008: Several deadly attacks where 60 people killed & thousands displaced into refugee camps (most
camps closed by government)
2012: African Centre for Migration & Society: 140 foreigners killed & 250 seriously injured
2013: Mido Macia (young Mozambican man) tied to police van & dragged through street in Jhb because
he parked car on the wrong side of the road
2015: Police “ignored”/joined in on mass attacks on foreigners & their shops in Soweto
Many SA‟ns object having immigrant children to attend school with their children
Political leaders often blame foreign nationals for their systematic failures to deliver political promises
Former president Zuma recently stated outbreaks of violence not due to Xenophobia, but rather crime
Afrophobia: negative stereotypes associated with people from African descent
Important to emphasise not all illegal immigrants come to SA to commit crime
Many flee situations of unemployment, poverty & conflict; but some come in search of opportunity as
criminals
Many children in SA are socialised to loathe foreigners & experience hatred against foreigners from their
social groups
Likely leads them to formulate their identity to hate foreigners & hold false perceptions about illegal
immigrants
Xenophobia is not a new phenomenon or a issue that is gradually disappearing
Goes back as far as Germans vs. Jews, Americans vs. Red Indians & Tutsis vs. Hutus in Rwanda
Xenophobia causes victims extensive psychological & physical damage – it is a crime against humanity
2. DEFINITIONS OF KEY CONCEPTS
2.1) XENOPHOBIA
An unreasonable fear, distrust/ hatred of strangers, foreigners/ anything perceived as different/ foreign
Originates from Greek concepts “xenos” (foreign) & “phobos” (fear)
A xenophobic group is less tolerant of coexisting with foreigners for ex. when members of a group do not
want to reside near foreigners/do not allow intermarriage
On political level: xenophobia relates to denial of social rights & entitlements to various resources to
perceived/real strangers
, Socially: the “other” (foreigners) do not belong to “us” – believing they do not share identity of the group
that results in social insecurity
2.2) ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT
Immigration Act defines illegal immigrant as a foreigner who entered SA without proper authorisation; or
by fraudulent means; or who remain in SA beyond the date imposed by his/her visa/permit; or who
engages in activities beyond the scope of what is duly authorised by his/her permit
3 main categories of illegal immigrants based on the definition above:
People who enter SA without legal documents that justify such entry
People who legally enter SA, but continue to reside in SA after the expiry date of their documents
Lastly, refugees & asylum-seekers whose application for such status has been refused
3. EXPLANATIONS FOR XENOPHOBIA
3.1) DEGREE OF XENOPHOBIA
Xenophobia not phenomenon limited to Western countries
Attitude studies & countless assaults against foreign Africans show that climate of xenophobia been
penetrating SA society since end of Apartheid
Unfortunately many SA politicians & the media intensify atmosphere of xenophobia rather than
interfering
They quote unrealistically high migration numbers & commonly use metaphors like “floods” & “waves”
to describe extent of migration
Foreign Africans used as scapegoats for problems of the SA society
Thus African migrants often typically associated with criminal activities & time and again politicians
emphasise that migrants are a strain on scarce public resources
Politicians & media often fuels perception that most crimes committed by illegal immigrants by using
term “they” which creates an “us” – generating more hostile thoughts against immigrants
Xenophobia manifests itself in various ways in a country including victimisation by police, murders, brutal
assaults, ethnic cleansing in area, and mass expulsion from a country
Recent xenophobic violence in SA mainly directed against foreigners living in poorest urban areas of SA
Many often burned, hacked or stoned to death with gratuitous violence often used
Sadly, people who acquired citizenship by merit of their specific skills like medical doctors, academics,
scientists & engineers have also been impacted
Legitimate workers, like 10s of thousands Mozambican mineworkers & Zimbabwe Mathematic teachers,
& foreign university students with study permits are also affected
SA is one of the 10 most unequal countries in the world & by far most ethnically diverse of these - there
is competition among poor for basic materials like food & shelter
Also competition for commodities (like technology) that allow people to be more include in our society
We love foreign cultural imports, like laptop from Japan, but detest Japanese person
Perceived competition within townships for resources and poverty is worsened by ascending food &
basic commodity prices leads to increased xenophobic violence
The wave of xenophobia sweeping through SA has serious implications for economy – as companies
operating within SA & beyond are faced with new set of risks
Risks: SA loses skilled people as they fear the uncontrolled violence &businesses will move their
investments to other countries as they feel safer there
Xenophobia: forms part of risk society in SA
Black on black violence with regard to illegal immigrants is a manmade risk
Existing stereotypes about migrants provide justifications for brutal actions: immigrants murdered,
burned or maimed by citizens & law enforcement (gratuitous violence in most of xenophobic violence)
1. INTRODUCTION
Racist & xenophobic violence and sentiment rising across the world
Racism & xenophobia cuts across religious and cultural divides – threaten:
Communities of ethnic (ex. Venda) or national minorities (ex. White Afrikaner), including immigrants
(individuals seen derogatively: referred as “Shangaan”), general citizens (ex. Farmers), long-time
residents (ex. Local Blacks) mistakenly seen as “makwerekwere” & newcomers (ex. individuals from
across SA borders)
Most vulnerable groups in SA experiencing Xenophobia: immigrants, Farmers, White Afrikaans speaking
citizens & refugees
SA & its dominant economic power on the continent has become an attractive destination for millions of
(un)documented migrants from continent
Since replacement of Apartheid regime by democratic government in SA
(Un)documented migration to SA increased notably after downfall of neighbouring Zimbabwe
Massive uncertainty about extent of migration created by range of estimated migration numbers -
estimated migrant numbers between 800 000 – 9 000 000 in SA
2008: Several deadly attacks where 60 people killed & thousands displaced into refugee camps (most
camps closed by government)
2012: African Centre for Migration & Society: 140 foreigners killed & 250 seriously injured
2013: Mido Macia (young Mozambican man) tied to police van & dragged through street in Jhb because
he parked car on the wrong side of the road
2015: Police “ignored”/joined in on mass attacks on foreigners & their shops in Soweto
Many SA‟ns object having immigrant children to attend school with their children
Political leaders often blame foreign nationals for their systematic failures to deliver political promises
Former president Zuma recently stated outbreaks of violence not due to Xenophobia, but rather crime
Afrophobia: negative stereotypes associated with people from African descent
Important to emphasise not all illegal immigrants come to SA to commit crime
Many flee situations of unemployment, poverty & conflict; but some come in search of opportunity as
criminals
Many children in SA are socialised to loathe foreigners & experience hatred against foreigners from their
social groups
Likely leads them to formulate their identity to hate foreigners & hold false perceptions about illegal
immigrants
Xenophobia is not a new phenomenon or a issue that is gradually disappearing
Goes back as far as Germans vs. Jews, Americans vs. Red Indians & Tutsis vs. Hutus in Rwanda
Xenophobia causes victims extensive psychological & physical damage – it is a crime against humanity
2. DEFINITIONS OF KEY CONCEPTS
2.1) XENOPHOBIA
An unreasonable fear, distrust/ hatred of strangers, foreigners/ anything perceived as different/ foreign
Originates from Greek concepts “xenos” (foreign) & “phobos” (fear)
A xenophobic group is less tolerant of coexisting with foreigners for ex. when members of a group do not
want to reside near foreigners/do not allow intermarriage
On political level: xenophobia relates to denial of social rights & entitlements to various resources to
perceived/real strangers
, Socially: the “other” (foreigners) do not belong to “us” – believing they do not share identity of the group
that results in social insecurity
2.2) ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT
Immigration Act defines illegal immigrant as a foreigner who entered SA without proper authorisation; or
by fraudulent means; or who remain in SA beyond the date imposed by his/her visa/permit; or who
engages in activities beyond the scope of what is duly authorised by his/her permit
3 main categories of illegal immigrants based on the definition above:
People who enter SA without legal documents that justify such entry
People who legally enter SA, but continue to reside in SA after the expiry date of their documents
Lastly, refugees & asylum-seekers whose application for such status has been refused
3. EXPLANATIONS FOR XENOPHOBIA
3.1) DEGREE OF XENOPHOBIA
Xenophobia not phenomenon limited to Western countries
Attitude studies & countless assaults against foreign Africans show that climate of xenophobia been
penetrating SA society since end of Apartheid
Unfortunately many SA politicians & the media intensify atmosphere of xenophobia rather than
interfering
They quote unrealistically high migration numbers & commonly use metaphors like “floods” & “waves”
to describe extent of migration
Foreign Africans used as scapegoats for problems of the SA society
Thus African migrants often typically associated with criminal activities & time and again politicians
emphasise that migrants are a strain on scarce public resources
Politicians & media often fuels perception that most crimes committed by illegal immigrants by using
term “they” which creates an “us” – generating more hostile thoughts against immigrants
Xenophobia manifests itself in various ways in a country including victimisation by police, murders, brutal
assaults, ethnic cleansing in area, and mass expulsion from a country
Recent xenophobic violence in SA mainly directed against foreigners living in poorest urban areas of SA
Many often burned, hacked or stoned to death with gratuitous violence often used
Sadly, people who acquired citizenship by merit of their specific skills like medical doctors, academics,
scientists & engineers have also been impacted
Legitimate workers, like 10s of thousands Mozambican mineworkers & Zimbabwe Mathematic teachers,
& foreign university students with study permits are also affected
SA is one of the 10 most unequal countries in the world & by far most ethnically diverse of these - there
is competition among poor for basic materials like food & shelter
Also competition for commodities (like technology) that allow people to be more include in our society
We love foreign cultural imports, like laptop from Japan, but detest Japanese person
Perceived competition within townships for resources and poverty is worsened by ascending food &
basic commodity prices leads to increased xenophobic violence
The wave of xenophobia sweeping through SA has serious implications for economy – as companies
operating within SA & beyond are faced with new set of risks
Risks: SA loses skilled people as they fear the uncontrolled violence &businesses will move their
investments to other countries as they feel safer there
Xenophobia: forms part of risk society in SA
Black on black violence with regard to illegal immigrants is a manmade risk
Existing stereotypes about migrants provide justifications for brutal actions: immigrants murdered,
burned or maimed by citizens & law enforcement (gratuitous violence in most of xenophobic violence)
