Atrocious xenophobic attacks in South Africa

Extremely graphic videos of foreign nationals – appearing to be of Zimbabwean and Somalian nationality – being attacked in South African townships have gone viral on social media, leaving us shell shocked.

The disturbing videos show locals attacking and burning foreigners alive and, in some instances, looting their shops. Their crime is being foreign immigrants.

One thing that has left a lot to be desired is the absence of the South African Police Service’s intervention. Could this be because foreign lives do not matter to them?

Another alarming cause for concern is the fact that the attackers are very young men. Women can also be heard cheering the young men as they carry on with their despicable acts. It is disheartening to see large numbers of people come together to mock the victims whilst they encourage these abominable atrocities on other human beings.

These attacks come after comments by the King of the Zulu nation, Goodwill Zwelithini who said that ‘foreigners must go‘. It has been reported that more than 1,000 mostly black African immigrants have fled their homes and are seeking refuge at police stations. 

Kundai Mugwanda-Nyamutenha