Saturday, July 5, 2025
23.9 C
Lagos

What’s Behind the Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa?

South African troops deployed as part of a new government effort to stop deadly anti-immigrant violence. Their first target: the Johannesburg suburb of Jeppestown, where xenophobic violence broke out. South African Police raided a Jeppestown hostel while troops secured the perimeter.

Earlier, Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced the plan to deploy an undisclosed number of troops to areas where police are spread too thin while trying to curb deadly attacks against immigrants.

“This intervention is not an indictment on the police. … We are coming in because they need that support,” she said after visiting Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, one area where mobs have attacked immigrants from other African nations and looted their shops – ostensibly based on the belief that immigrants are taking South Africans’ jobs.

Seven people have been killed in recent violence against poorer immigrants, many from South Africa’s neighbors. Much of this month’s violence happened in the Port City of Durban, where at least two foreigners and three South Africans were killed after mobs with machetes attacked immigrant shops. Thousands of people took temporary shelter at refugee centers or police stations as a result, according to aid group Gift of the Givers.

Similar violence happened late last week in Johannesburg, where immigrant-owned shops were looted or destroyed. The attacks came as residents accused immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes. The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25%,
according to government figures.

The United Nations said the attacks began in March after a labor dispute between citizens and foreign workers.

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

MTN, 9mobile Ink National Infrastructure Partnership Deal

L-R: Abolaji Idowu, Chief Financial Officer, 9mobile; Omotola Ojutayo,...

Stanbic IBTC Holding’s N148bn Rights Issue Oversubscribed by 21.9%, Injects N140bn into Stanbic IBTC Bank

Acting Group CE Statement Commenting on the just concluded rights...

NAICOM Hands over New Licences to SanlamAllianz Life, General Insurance

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) today handed over new...

Access Bank Highlights Leadership at Climate Governance Initiative Launch

Access Bank Plc has once again demonstrated its leadership...

Fidelity Bank Extends Relief Efforts to Eti-Osa Community with Food Bank Initiative

Henry Asiegbu, Divisional Head, Operations, Fidelity Bank Plc (Left);...

Topics

The Rise of $1bn e-Commerce Industry in Nigeria

According to Euromonitor International data, Nigeria boasts the largest online market for apparel and footwear in Africa, which is expected to grow from US$104 million in 2014 to $1billion in 2019. The building blocks for future developments in e-tailing are emerging in sub-Saharan Africa, as a growing middle class and young population create a demand for products that store-based retail simply cannot meet, due to a lack of shopping malls and gridlocked cities.

CTO Report: Public-Private Partnership Accelerate ICT Dev

The report of last month’s Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum...

Etisalat’s CEO Resigns with Immediate Effect

Etisalat Group's CEO, Ahmad Julfar has resigned from the...

Ecobank Nigeria Wins 2 Awards at BAFI 2021

Ecobank Nigeria won two awards at the prestigious Banks...

Sanwo-Olu Unveils Lagos Shopping Festival Symbol

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Girish Sharma;...

Afreximbank: The $6bn War Chest to Strengthen Food Security in Africa

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has staked US$6 billion...

NSE Named Most Innovative Stock Exchange in Africa 2016

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has emerged the Most...

PenCom Disclaims Association of Pension Desk Practitioners of Nigeria

The attention of the National Pension Commission (PenCom or...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img