South Africans cite unemployment and poverty as root causes of violence against foreign nationals

The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Probing Violence against Foreign Nationals heard from the community of Kagiso and Snake Park in Soweto today that high levels of unemployment and poverty are some of the root causes of the violence that erupted against foreign nationals.

The Committee held a public meeting with residents of Kagiso and Snake Park today to establish the root causes of the violence that erupted in these communities. The residents of these communities raised the frustration of poverty, unemployment particularly among qualified youth in these communities. These communities have also echoed the same frustrations that were echoed by spaza shops and tuck shops owners, of foreign nationals opening shops all over the townships without any space for the locals to trade fairly because of the low prices charged by the foreign national shops.

The Committee also met with the South African Police Service (SAPS) major generals responsible for the Kagiso and Snake Park communities who informed the Committee that criminal elements were the cause of the violence that erupted in these areas. The Police also informed the Committee that during the policing of the unrest situations they noticed that in all businesses that were attacked, the people were not targeted but the property was targeted and the foreign nationals that were targeted opened cases of business burglary.

The Committee also met with the traditional leaders (Izinduna) of the Jeppe Hostel where violence also broke out in April this year, to find out the cause of violence and possible ways that would bring about a peaceful lasting solution. The Izinduna informed the Committee that although they receive a lot of support from the police, they believe that the government prioritises foreign nationals’ interests more than South African citizens’ interests. The Izinduna also complained of the old buildings in Jeppe and Hilbrow which are controlled by foreign nationals who do not allow South Africans to trade in those areas.

The Izinduna, the community members the Committee met today and foreign nationals that the Committee interacted with yesterday, out rightly reject the notion that the violence against foreign nationals is xenophobic. They all say South Africa is a multi-racial country where no one is attacked on the basis of race, colour and country of origin. They say if that was the case the previously discriminated against black South Africans would not have lived side by side with those who discriminated against them. 

The Committee appreciates the information it received from the traditional leaders from Jeppe Hostel, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and community members from Kagiso and Snake Park. The information received today is assisting the Committee to establish the root causes of the violence against foreign nationals.

Enquiries:
Faith Kwaza
Tel: 021 403 8062
Cell: 081 377 0686
E-mail: fkwaza@parliament.gov.za