2015 South African xenophobic riots

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Durban Xenophobic attack 2015
LocationDurban and Johannesburg, South Africa
Date11 April 2015 (UTC-4)
Deaths7

On 11 April 2015, several South Africans attacked foreigners in a xenophobic attack in Durban, South Africa, which extended to some parts of Johannesburg. Several people, both foreign and South African alike, were killed with some of the killings captured on camera.

Background

In South Africa, there is a sentiment prevalent among a sizable portion of unemployed South Africans that immigrants and expatriates from other parts of Africa who reside in South Africa are responsible for the high unemployment rate that South Africa has. This sentiment sometimes results in such South Africans attacking African expatriates and foreigners, as happened in 2008, with the ultimate goal of driving them out of South Africa. This sentiment is exacerbated by comments from public figures in support it. In this case, some have said it was sparked by an alleged statement by the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini demanding that all foreigners leave South Africa and "go back to their countries", leaving South Africa more jobs for the unemployed youth of South Africa.[1][2][3]

Attacks

Locals looted foreigners' shops and attacked immigrants in general, forcing hundreds to relocate to police stations across the country. The Malawian authorities subsequently began repatriating their nationals, and a number of other foreign governments also announced that they would evacuate their citizens.[2] More than 300 people were arrested.[3] On 18 April 2015 a photographer from the Sunday Times, James Oatway, photographed a brutal attack on a Mozambican man. The man, Emmanuel Sithole, died from his wounds.[4] Four suspects were arrested within days of the publication of photographs in the 19 April edition of The Sunday Times of the murder of Mozambican street vendor Emmanuel Sithole in Alexandra township the previous day.[5][6][7] Sithole's name is not included in the official list of seven victims killed in the April 2015 attacks, including an Ethiopian, a Mozambican, a Bangladeshi, a Zimbabwean and three South Africans who were all killed in KwaZulu-Natal.[8]

Despite the government's insistence that Sithole's murder was not xenophobic, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deployed in Alexandra township following the publication of the images.[9] On 23 April several thousand demonstrators marched through central Johannesburg to protest against a spate of deadly attacks on immigrants. They sang songs denouncing xenophobia and carried banners that read "We are all Africans" as migrant workers crowded balconies, shouting their support.[10]

Deaths and casualties

In all seven people were reported dead as a result of the violence.[11] The dead included both South Africans and foreigners.

Aftermath

After the incident over 5,000 people took part in a rally held in Durban to show their displeasure with the attacks.[12]

Following this incidents many African countries had strained diplomatic relations with South Africa. Nigeria recalled its High Commissioner in South Africa following this event.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Xenophobic killing in South Africa caught by photos - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Attacks on foreigners spread in South Africa; weekend violence feared". Los Angeles Times. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b "South Africa anti-immigrant violence: Hundreds held". BBC News. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  4. ^ "TimesLIVE". www.timeslive.co.za. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  5. ^ Tromp, Beauregard; Oatway, James (19 April 2015). "The brutal death of Emmanuel Sithole". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  6. ^ Swails, Brent (21 April 2015). "Xenophobic killing in South African township caught by photographer". CNN. Archived from the original on 25 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  7. ^ Dipa, Karishma; Makhafola, Gertrude (21 April 2015). "These are the four Sithole suspects". The Star. ANA. Archived from the original on 23 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  8. ^ Ferreira, Emsie (28 April 2015). "Sithole murder not xenophobic: Mahlobo". IOL. ANA. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  9. ^ "SANDF to be deployed in Alexandra | The Citizen". Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  10. ^ "Thousands protest against anti-immigrant riots in S. Africa". Arab News. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  11. ^ Sim David. "South Africa xenophobia: Anti-immigrant violence in Durban and Johannesburg [Photo report]". Ibi Times. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  12. ^ "Thousands rally in South Africa against xenophobia". Aljazeera. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  13. ^ "Xenophobia: South Africa condemns Nigeria's recall of High Commissioner, jabs Jonathan - Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 28 April 2015.
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