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Security Analyst, Adib Saani has said that the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa was not sparked by the alleged spate of criminal activities perpetrated by immigrants, but rather was motivated by the deep seated socio-economic, political and cultural deficits confronting that society.
Speaking in an interview, Adib conceded that, there are some few immigrants in South Africa engaged in crime but the numbers are quite insignificant to merit the extent of violence that ensued as a result. He added that, according to South African police statistics on the number of crimes recorded in the 2015/2016 reporting year, average 142 rapes, 148 robberies and 50 murders were recorded every day in the country.
Adib added that the South Africa economy has suffered its lowest growth rate yet in seven years, with a 2016 unemployment rate of 26.6%. The Jacob Zuma led Government has been accused by opponents of being corrupt, further creating disenchantment in South African society.
He also accused some South African Politicians such as the new Mayor of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba and the Leader of the First Party, 37 year old Mario Khumalo of riding on the frustrations of the masses to further inflame passions through inciting rhetoric.
“I wasn’t therefore surprised when I received the news of Amnesty International observing that the violence is being partly fuelled by longstanding police and criminal justice failures, including a failure to address toxic populist rhetoric that blames and scapegoats refugees and migrants for crime, unemployment and other social problems”, he lamented.
Adib cautioned South Africans not to forget the enormous sacrifices that were made by fellow Africans towards the liberation of the country. He added that communities should rather explore avenues to raise their concerns against foreign nationals instead of resorting to violence even in cases of extreme dissatisfaction with law enforcement and alleged criminal activities perpetrated by these foreign nationals.
