Pass-the-buck Pandor out of line

Even by the abysmal standards set by the ANC in terms of denial, shifting blame and downright illogicality, the comment by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor that it is the local media which is responsible for the surge in xenophobia is shocking. That is because a knee-jerk, pass-the-buck response was not expected from Pandor, who has impressed over the years with her level-headed approach in previous portfolios, which included education.

But it is also worrying that the ANC government is sending out such mixed messages. One minister decries, another minister denies.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged foreigners have been targets in the recent waves of violence. He has even sent envoys to other African countries to reassure anxious people there that South Africans do not hate their African brothers and sisters.

Pandor’s remarks also included her belief that the “media should play a role in changing the perception of South Africa and in providing education, rather than enhancing fear, antipathy and negativity”.

Former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin would have been proud of you, Madam.

The denials are yet another way for the ANC to avoid grasping the nettle of uncontrolled borders that allow millions of economic migrants into the country.

South Africans feel their jobs and their services are threatened. No amount of hand-wringing or liberal rationalisations will change that.

Shooting the messenger, as Pandor has attempted to do, is not going to magically remove the problem.

One of the reasons that xenophobia has worsened in the decade since the 2008 rampages and killings is that nothing was done.

Continue along that road and you will step into more puddles of blood.