Recent research reveals an increase of xenophobic attitudes and attacks since July this year.
While the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa is worried about the reported recurrence of the xenophobic attacks, the authorities appear to be succumbing to pressure from the ruling African National Congress and “sweeping the dirt under the carpet”.
Displaced Migrant Persons Support Programmes shares Cormsa’s concerns and says it is certain attacks on foreigners will increase as the ANC heads for its elective congress scheduled for the end of the year.
In an interview recently, Cormsa’s Communications Officer, Gwadamirai Maganje, revealed that all was not well between her organisation and the government, which she said was creating more problems for foreigners than providing solutions.
“We are trying to lobby government to change its policies,” she said.
The ANC has revealed plans to regulate the existence of small shops owned by foreigners, especially in townships or rural areas. Under the proposals contained in the ANC position paper to be tabled at its congress, foreigners will not be permitted to establish businesses in certain designated areas.
Civil society is also irked by the government’s decision to close refugee centres earlier this year.
“We have launched a campaign against the closure of refugee reception offices,” said Maganje. “We are just hopeful that the government will change its policies on refugees and asylum seekers.”
DMPSP’s spokesman, Walter da Silva, rubbished the theory that violent eruptions in communities are nothing but deliberate criminal machinations.
“The issue of xenophobia in South Africa cannot be ignored. Although many of the local business forums have said that the issue is not xenophobic, it is nothing more than grand standing. The attitudes that we see are purely xenophobic,” said da Silva.
Post published in: Africa News