Beating, Raping, Burning, and Killing Foreigners in South Africa
Published May 21, 2008
The current xenophobic violence indicates rising anger among those who complain they have been left out by the government’s economic policies. According to the South African Institute of Race Relations, "poor and ineffective governance had created a tinder box of unmet expectations," which exploded two weeks ago in poor townships and informal settlements around Johannesburg.
The South African Police officials have said that they do not have enough manpower to cover all areas affected by the violence. This is understandable, considering the fact that South Africa is one of the most dangerous countries in the world, where between 2001 and 2006 more than 100,000 people were murdered, nearly 270,000 raped, and 1.3 million seriously assaulted. Every day, around 50 murders, 150 rapes, and nearly 700 serious assaults are committed in the country. The numbers are probably even higher considering the fact that about 30% of all crimes are not reported.
A coalition of South African human rights groups described the current crisis as a "national emergency" and said the government should consider deployment of the military to the troubled hot spots.
Africans around the continent look in disbelief at this outbreak of vicious violence against fellow Africans. They "grieved the suffering of black people in South Africa [during apartheid]. It is thus being so myopic to suddenly turn against your yesterday sympathizers in such a violent way that leaves many dead and others undergo intense torture."
Some South African analysts ask "is it not ironic that the victims happen to be fellow Africans? This cruel reality blows out of the water any notions of pan-Africanism, never mind the African renaissance so often spoken of by [South African President] Mbeki and other politicians."
The African Renaissance is a concept popularized by the current South African President, Thabo Mbeki, in which the African people and nations are called upon to solve the many problems troubling the African continent. The goals of the African renaissance are "social cohesion, democracy, economic rebuilding and growth, and the establishment of Africa as a significant player in geo-political affairs."
The country that vowed to work on the African renaissance and solidarity is now a place where fellow Africans are raped, beaten, burned, and hacked to death.
- Beating, Raping, Burning, and Killing Foreigners in South Africa
- Published: May 21, 2008
- Type: News
- Section: Politics
- Filed Under: Politics: International
- Writer: Savo Heleta
- Savo Heleta's BC Writer page
- Savo Heleta's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Is the only difference between today and a few weeks ago the fact that it is now hitting international news???
How many murders are there on a daily basis? How many rapes? How many (white, black, Indian) people suffer mercilessly at the hands of criminals on a daily basis there?
How many of us South Africans living in Europe, live here because this is NOT NEWS TO US!
I'm sorry for what is happening in SA. Very sorry.
But I am "happy" that the rest of the world is finally taking notice of something that has been a problem for years!
This is not news. This was "day-to-day" life for many of us when we were still in SA - wasn't it?
Savo,
This is disheartening and scary.
While townships have always been dangerous without any real policing for decades, establishing a culture of crime, this is astonishing. People have been complaining about foreigners, first Nigerians coming in to bring drug trade and the frightening mayhem that comes with that, then Zimbabweans taking jobs and "Africanizing" South Africa with the expanding road markets and some with a different culture. side note: Many South Africans look at the rest of the continent as being a different place. They will refer to it as Africa, not sure where they think they see themselves as being???
With the job situation being what it is, HIV/AIDS, energy issues, food prices escalating, drought in some areas, culture of crime, it's unfortunately inevitable.
This is one of the ugly things that occur during nation building. The former Soviet Union took it to another level. Off course we slaughtered Native Americans.
I am saddened and scared. I hope the public will resound a massive outcry and public opinion and civility will prevail. I am also frightened by Zuma. Lord knows if he will have the sense to stabilize matters and grow the country. His carelessness and indiscretions frighten me. Thankfully there is a solid "legislative" process.
However we've got to dethrone the ANC. Relying on one party is dangerous.
Richardo,
You are simply lying. South Africa is high, very high in crime and we all know why. But suggesting that these incidences have been common is simply a lie.
This is a new development. Are you trying to promote your website or something? Shame on you.
Shame on those who attack our brothers and sisters becoz they say ngamakwerekwere,jus put urselves in their shuz, how would you feel? obviosly terrorised and victimised,would you lyk it? obviously "no" so if you do not lyk it when poeple do it to u, how come it is okay when you do it top other poeple.Beatiful South Africans, be reasonable,dnt let the Devil use ur instrumentality in his dirty Job! Umanyano ngamandla ma-Africa!"Unity is the Power Africans"!
Yash,
Amakwerekwere, is a name that is coined to depict the perceived garbled manner of speaking of foriegners.
The issue is not the name it is the factors which cause humans to do such horrible things.
I've been astonished on these boards these past weeks just how mob rule works. The most idiotic ideas spread, some join because they are too lazy to think for themselves, others join because they are just hot heads and will join any massacre, some join because they misunderstand the issues others are followers, but the problem is that THEY JOIN. Civility is difficult for our species. Those of us with strong governance think that we are civil by nature, that we have evolved, when it is our systems that keep our natural tendancy towards mayham, at bay.
Savo,
Stories like yours put plans for the Durban anti-Israel hatefest, where foreigners will gather and condemn my people for the crimes they themselves foment, in its proper perspective.
Fortunately for the gilded NGO's and diplomats, they will not have to contend with angry South Africans trying to kill them because they are foreigners. Indeed the scum will whip up many of these same people who attack foreigners in their own countries into screaming mobs howling for the blood of Jews - who continue to leave South Africa for Israel, having finally figured out that they are no longer welcome there.
Savo,
The tiny minority of Jews in South Africa is trying to provide aid and comfort for refugees from riots in that nation. The tiny Jewish minority is recognizing the shot over the bow that these riots are. The riots remind them pointedly, how pogroms against them can be directed most easily by demagogues screaming anti-Jewish and anti-Israel slogans.
And that very series of pogroms can be expected to arise in the planned "hate Jews - hate Israel" circus coming to Durban in the coming months.
I have an Afrikaner friend, a non-Jew, who had left South Africa in 1993 for the Netherlands to rebuild his life - and who returned to South Africa recently to try to build an agriculture related business there. He is not a racist, and he loves his homeland. His previous business took him on many trips away from his family, and whenever he could he ran to be in South Africa, with or without them.
I think he made a mistake. I fear his homeland may not love him. But he is a big boy, a tough pipe-smoking fellow of very firm beliefs behind his smiling face.
It must be stated that there have been rallies all over the country condemning the attacks. People are appalled at the thuggery. We are receiving e-mails that express shock over these horrible acts that have been done.
This development is highly encouraging. Ubuntu is still alive and well Savo.
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Since I submitted this article, the South African government has decided to send the army to the troubled townships.
The death toll has also increased to over 40 now. There are reports that the xenophobic violence is spreading beyond Johannesburg to other parts of the country.