I doubt South Africans are xenophobic

President Jacob Zuma has described the outbreak of violence during Friday’s anti-immigrant march in Pretoria as complex, saying South Africans and foreign nationals need to be understanding of one another.

Locals accuse foreign nationals of spreading crime, while migrant workers say they are only defending themselves after being targeted in xenophobic attacks.

“You will remember that there have been many instances in our country where communities have taken what I would call vigilante activities against South African criminals and took the law into their own hands, which we discourage‚” he said.

“It is wrong to brandish all non-nationals as drug dealers or human traffickers”. Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to break up clashes between local protesters and migrants in Pretoria during a march against immigration.

Collins confirmed that at least 10 Nigerians were attacked in the violence that broke out last week, adding that some of their community have been receiving threatening messages and phone calls asking them to send money to prevent their homes and businesses from being destroyed.

The invasion spread to Pretoria where foreign-owned shops were looted overnight last Monday, extending to Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Authorities must ensure adequate protection for all refugees and migrants living in South Africa, amid the current protests in Pretoria and the escalating xenophobic tension and attacks in different parts of Gauteng Province, Amnesty International said today.

We reiterate our view that South Africans are generally not xenophobic.

Attacks against foreigners have erupted regularly in recent years, fuelled by South Africa’s high unemployment and poverty levels.

“We expect any issues of concern to South African citizens and residents to be resolved through peaceful dialogue, ” he said.

About 136 people were arrested in Pretoria West over the past 24 hours, including during the march on Friday morning, acting national police commissioner Lieutenant General Kgomotso Phahlane said.

The Nigerian government summoned South Africa’s ambassador this week to demand an explanation of the handling of thebloodshed after Nigerian citizens were attacked.

The government also urged the South African government to put in place measures to end the incessant attacks on Nigerians in that country.

President Zuma condemned the xenophobic unrest and acknowledged the “destruction of property directed at non-nationals”.

The minister said, “The ministry has not received the report of any death of Nigerian in the latest incidents of attacks against foreigners”.