A briefing paper on violence from CPLO listed eight different points of concern for xenophobic attacks:
- Competition for resources
- Criminality and opportunism
- Inadequate intelligence
- Inefficient procedures at the Department of Home Affairs
- A culture of violence
- Lack of leadership
- The international pervasiveness of xenophobia
- The failure of security forces to quell the violence
- Li Jianmin. "News Analysis: What is behind xenophobia in S. Africa." The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation. 2008
Of the many reasons causing the violence, South African experts agree the underlying factor was the desperation felt by the very poor: "faced with the problem of service delivery, some South Africans reacted to the perceived competition from foreigners over resources", despite many studies showing that immigrants are job creators. Foreigners form a convenient scapegoat for all the ills being experienced by those at the margins of society.
Xenophobia is not isolated, but rather may be seen as a response to unemployment, poverty, crime and a lack of trust in the justice system.
Xenophobia is not isolated, but rather may be seen as a response to unemployment, poverty, crime and a lack of trust in the justice system.
Some of the attacks have been committed due the perception that foreigners have criminal ties or are members of criminal elements within a community. These attacks show the trend towards mob justice further reflecting the lack of faith South African citizens have in formal institutions, ultimately resulting in communities resorting to violence.
The pervasiveness of xenophobic attitudes which allow such attacks to seem justifiable has been highlighted in a Afrobarometer survey in which:
44% of South Africans disagree with the idea of providing protection to asylum seekers
45% of South Africans agreed that foreigners should not be allowed to live in SA as they take away benefits from locals
44% of South Africans disagree with the idea of providing protection to asylum seekers
45% of South Africans agreed that foreigners should not be allowed to live in SA as they take away benefits from locals
An Injury Prevention Project brought to you by @safeinthecityct