Key facts
- Migrants in South Africa are fleeing xenophobic attacks, with some businesses looted.
- At least five people have been killed in the recent violence.
Migrants in South Africa are fleeing xenophobic attacks and seeking shelter after businesses were looted, with the justice minister warning of damage to the country's global image and a backlash against its artists and companies.
The escalating xenophobic violence in South Africa not only threatens the safety and livelihoods of migrants but also damages the nation's international reputation, potentially impacting its cultural and economic ties with other African countries and the global community.
A surge in xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa is damaging the country's global image and leading to a backlash against its businesses and artists, according to Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. Speaking at a briefing, Kubayi urged South Africans to reject vigilantism and allow the government to manage illegal immigration through proper channels.
Recent weeks have seen protests and attacks targeting other African nationals, who are blamed by anti-immigrant groups for high unemployment and crime, despite some being in the country legally. Kubayi noted that South African artists are experiencing cancelled gigs and that companies abroad have been affected by the negative sentiment. She warned that the situation could harm the nation's brand and social cohesion, with some South African citizens also targeted.
Xenophobia is a recurring issue in South Africa, often amplified by politicians seeking support ahead of local elections. Several countries, including Ghana, Malawi, and Mozambique, have repatriated their citizens. Malawi reported bringing hundreds more home from Durban. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the violence as a "tragic betrayal." However, South Africa's foreign ministry disputed that some deaths were due to xenophobic violence, attributing Ethiopian deaths to organized crime and stating Mozambican deaths are under investigation.
Migrants, including those who have lived in South Africa for years, are fleeing their homes and seeking shelter. Some reported being dispersed by police when trying to find refuge, with one incident involving police using rubber bullets and tear gas. An anti-immigrant movement, 'March and March,' denies responsibility for the violence, stating their focus is on illegal migrants and that authorities would have made arrests if they were responsible. Analysts suggest migrants are often scapegoated during times of economic hardship or when government services are perceived as failing, with anti-migrant sentiment often increasing around election periods.