Official efforts to halt attacks on foreigners

THERE has been widespread condemnation of the recent attacks on foreigners living in South Africa and now the official damage control has begun.

During the World Economic Forum Africa, a Nigerian politician called for steps to de-escalate tension that led to the attacks, and today that country will start to evacuate about 640 of its citizens who have chosen to leave.

On Monday, Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor sought to reassure envoys from African countries of South Africa’s commitment to stability and inclusiveness, and promised the government would do all it could to stop violence against their countries’ citizens.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said government representatives would be sent out into communities to talk to people.

One of the thorny points is whether the violence is criminality, as some like to suggest, or is driven by xenophobia.

ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina said there must be a distinction drawn between crime and xenophobia, but when people chase foreigners down the street yelling at them to “go home”, xenophobia is surely at play.

Pandor spoke of a “toxic mix of socio-economic factors” that had led South Africa down this dark path, including the legacy of apartheid and deep inequality in society.

Police Minister Bheki Cele told business that there was a plan to stop the attacks but said they were the result of criminality rather than xenophobia.

He needs to show that the police – who have in the past been accused of harassing foreigners – will be there ready to help and protect all, and not turn their backs when an angry mob fuelled by racial or other hatred comes charging down the street hellbent on destruction of all in their path.