Mbeki’s govt must check immigrant policy
May 28, 2008
The past two weeks in South Africa have been a disgrace following the nasty incidences of xenophobic violence. As a result, 50 foreigners have been brutally killed, while over 17,000 others left homeless and in dare condition without basic necessities.
By Edward Laabu
The past two weeks in South Africa have been a disgrace following the nasty incidences of xenophobic violence. As a result, 50 foreigners have been brutally killed, while over 17,000 others left homeless and in dare condition without basic necessities.
Thousand others, most who include the Zimbabweans, Malawians and Mozambicans, have returned to their respective countries to escape the bloodshed and political pressure. Small businesses, especially those dominated by the Somalia’s, have been grossly affected. At least 800 suspects have also been apprehended in various places.
But why does xenophobia still exist here? Who is to blame and what should be done to stop the violence? The government of president Thabo Mbeki is partly responsible for the violence in South Africa. Mbeki has always been cognisant that xenophobia has long-existed and that it is not a peculiar thing. His government has, therefore, been reluctant to work out stringent measures to fight it.
Mbeki’s government has been acting as though there is no crisis in Zimbabwe yet it has been there for a long time. He should have realised that the declining political and economic situation in Zimbabwe would spark off an influx of Zimbabwean refugees fleeing from the ‘bogus’ inflation of their country. Thus, the alarming influx of millions of Zimbabweans within a short period of time could not allow South Africa to plan in terms of resource allocation for its nationals and refugees.
In line with the above, there have not been tight control boarder measures which is also one of the reasons why there have been several illegal immigrants settling into the country to compete with the citizens for the limited resources and employment opportunities. Such a situation could have sparked off the violence.
Further still, there has not been a streamlined policy on refugees. Foreigners have been mixing with the nationals. Because there has not been a clear policy, many foreigners have been left vulnerable and insecure. The South African government has also not done enough to fight the increasing unemployment problem affecting many of its youth. As a result, the unemployed youth have been frustrated and driven into dubious activities.
However, it is not too late for the government of South Africa to fight the xenophobia. The violence can be checked if the government strengthens its policy on immigrants. Tight control boarder measures should be put in place to reduce the numbers of illegal immigrants who come to compete with nationals for the limited resources and employment opportunities.
The South African government should also establish income-generating projects for the unemployed youth so that they are preocuppied and do not get tempted to be involved in criminal activities.
Designated places for foreigners like camps should be put in place and maximum security provided. Once there is security, lives can be saved even when such incidences struck.
Sensitisation programmes against xenophobia should always be conducted right from the grassroots. It makes no sense for president Mbeki, non government organisations and the media to break the silence against xenophobia when lives have been lost. Such programmes can help instill sense in many ‘violent’ South Africans. With the above measures taken seriously, xenophobia would be no more talk in South Africa.
The writer is a journalist based in South Africa
The past two weeks in South Africa have been a disgrace following the nasty incidences of xenophobic violence. As a result, 50 foreigners have been brutally killed, while over 17,000 others left homeless and in dare condition without basic necessities.
Thousand others, most who include the Zimbabweans, Malawians and Mozambicans, have returned to their respective countries to escape the bloodshed and political pressure. Small businesses, especially those dominated by the Somalia’s, have been grossly affected. At least 800 suspects have also been apprehended in various places.
But why does xenophobia still exist here? Who is to blame and what should be done to stop the violence? The government of president Thabo Mbeki is partly responsible for the violence in South Africa. Mbeki has always been cognisant that xenophobia has long-existed and that it is not a peculiar thing. His government has, therefore, been reluctant to work out stringent measures to fight it.
Mbeki’s government has been acting as though there is no crisis in Zimbabwe yet it has been there for a long time. He should have realised that the declining political and economic situation in Zimbabwe would spark off an influx of Zimbabwean refugees fleeing from the ‘bogus’ inflation of their country. Thus, the alarming influx of millions of Zimbabweans within a short period of time could not allow South Africa to plan in terms of resource allocation for its nationals and refugees.
In line with the above, there have not been tight control boarder measures which is also one of the reasons why there have been several illegal immigrants settling into the country to compete with the citizens for the limited resources and employment opportunities. Such a situation could have sparked off the violence.
Further still, there has not been a streamlined policy on refugees. Foreigners have been mixing with the nationals. Because there has not been a clear policy, many foreigners have been left vulnerable and insecure. The South African government has also not done enough to fight the increasing unemployment problem affecting many of its youth. As a result, the unemployed youth have been frustrated and driven into dubious activities.
However, it is not too late for the government of South Africa to fight the xenophobia. The violence can be checked if the government strengthens its policy on immigrants. Tight control boarder measures should be put in place to reduce the numbers of illegal immigrants who come to compete with nationals for the limited resources and employment opportunities.
The South African government should also establish income-generating projects for the unemployed youth so that they are preocuppied and do not get tempted to be involved in criminal activities.
Designated places for foreigners like camps should be put in place and maximum security provided. Once there is security, lives can be saved even when such incidences struck.
Sensitisation programmes against xenophobia should always be conducted right from the grassroots. It makes no sense for president Mbeki, non government organisations and the media to break the silence against xenophobia when lives have been lost. Such programmes can help instill sense in many ‘violent’ South Africans. With the above measures taken seriously, xenophobia would be no more talk in South Africa.
The writer is a journalist based in South Africa