Xenophobic Attacks
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{sourced_shocking scenes}: Emmanuel Sithole's brutal attack images -photographed by James Oatway, Sunday Times newspaper.
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How quick can things
change? From peaceful and harmonious stable country, to violent; disruptive and
deadliest society. It was on that day,
the most shocking revelation ever been seen.
In April 2008, the world witness large scale of xenophobic attacks in
different communities of South Africa.
Foreigners were attacked, injured and some were killed.
Many foreigners are
in South Africa as asylum seekers due to wars and other socio-economic problems
in their countries. However, South
African people struggle to understand this.
At the beginning it seemed as a fury towards our fellow African brothers
and sisters; then hatred mounted and mobs were created which led to attacks.
The attacks began in
the mid-day across Gauteng areas, angry and furious mob walked into foreigner’s
shops particularly Somalia’s tuck shops attacking them; vandalizing property and
looting. Some of mob members were shot,
others wounded and some were killed, in self defence foreigners fought
back. Foreigners were accused of
‘’stealing work from locals’’ in a difficult economic climate. Somali small traders and entrepreneurs
specifically were accused of undercutting the prices of the locals and many of
them were killed.
The hope of Africa is
in South Africa. Whatever fails in South
Africa sends bad message to other countries especially in European countries. Violence is giving a bad image about the
beauty of South Africa, consequently during 2008, foreign investors lapsed. Up to
this point the xenophobic violence continues in various parts of societies. Even though government condemns senseless
killing brought by xenophobia people still persist.
The smell of death,
bodies burned, laying on the ground and brutally killed. Many foreigners flew from the areas they were
living in; few remain behind because they had nowhere to go and this brought
fear to tourist to tour South Africa. Tourist
enhances the economy of a country, the environment was not conducive at that
moment and we experience economic setback. The whole scenario tarnished the image of
South Africa, and left scares in foreigners predominantly those who lost their
loved ones in xenophobic attacks. People across the world were shocked by this act of violence and many feared to travel to our country.
“Just like any other country, South Africa managed to restore calm in
communities by educating people about migration and immigration policies. ‘Each
one teach one campaign’ was created to teach society in larger, but there were
those who bluntly ignored it and still today they do not accommodate
foreigners” –Nelly Portia.
Fast forward, 2015, South Africa battles yet another Xenophobic Attacks in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal (Durban) provinces. This
comes after months of unrest attacks among different races in the country. South Africans are in fights with Foreign nationals due to high unemployment and several spaza shops opened in the townships. Who instigated the war? Is
there a ring ‘leader’ who initiates the killings, vandalizing of foreign owned
business and properties in both provinces? Hard-core questions needs to be answered,
and without a substantial proof, the will be no case and a day in court.
International Headlines: Xenophobic South Africa
"He will be deeply missed", said Emmanuel's family.
The brutal death of Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole on April 18,2015. Sithole was attacked and stabbed to death by a group of four men in Alexandra township north of Johannesburg on Saturday. The gang approached him in the streets, they started beating and stabbing him in the chest. Helplessly, he collapsed on the pavement bleeding intensely. The perpetrators fled the scene on foot...whiles community was watching from far in fear of being stabbed too, Sunday Times Photographer James Oatway and colleagues rushed to help Sithole. Sadly, he later died from his wounds. Three culprits were arrested on Sunday, while the fourth was apprehended last night. The case has been postponed to next month, May 4.
Mthinta Bhengu, Sifundo Mzimela, Sizwe Mngomezulu & Ayanda Sibiya are accused of stabbing Emmanuel Sithole to death made a brief court appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate Court on 21 April 2015. Picture: @SAPoliceService.
Stop Xenophobic Attacks for the restoration of human dignity #SayNoToXenophobia
By: Nelly Portia
