The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation strongly condemns the latest violent attacks on foreigners in Alexandra. Given our history of human rights violations we are concerned that we have been swift to abuse other people’s rights.

This incident is a wake up call to all South Africans!  South Africa is currently facing enormous socio-economic problems such as scarcity of resources, lack of employment and high crime rates. There is an increasing frustration from South Africans on the lack of solutions to these problems. What has happened in Alex is a demonstration not just of our inability to adequately address the needs of migrants but also the needs of those South Africans that are marginalized.

CSVR understands this and feels that the concerns of the people of Alexandra and the majority of South Africans who are increasingly feeling  excluded from the current economy must be heard. But, we strongly condemn the use of violence to solve these problems. The blaming or scapegoating of our problems on some of the most vulnerable people in our society, foreigners, must end. Many of these foreigners come from troubled countries. They are trying to survive and take care of their families, just like the majority of us did during apartheid.

The vast majority of migrants in South Africa come from other African countries where there are widespread human rights violations. They require assistance ranging from psychosocial support, medical care, food and other basic needs. Besides stronger border control, one of the most effective and sustainable ways to reduce economic and political migrants is to support the development of stronger economies and the consolidation of democracy in these countries. South Africans need to speak out against human rights violations and dictatorships in African countries. Quiet diplomacy is not the solution. If we do not challenge African dictatorships who hold on to power, we will continue to have economically struggling African states and an influx of migrants from these states.

Silence about human rights violations amounts to condoning those violations. We must speak out against human rights violations in African countries, including Zimbabwe. Ultimately, we call on all South Africans to respect the human rights of those migrants who find themselves in our country.

Contact persons
Nomfundo Mogapi
Trauma and Transition Programme Manager: CSVR
083 337 1616
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Malose Langa
073 503 9890
011 403 5102/3

Please note that CSVR also offers counseling services to survivors of violence including forced migrants and South Africans.

Related CSVR Publications 

• Zimbabwe Torture Victims Project & Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (2006). Women on the Run: Female Survivors of Torture Amongst Zimbabwean Asylum Seekers and Refugees in South Africa. Research report written for the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, December. (182kb)
  
  
• Fine, J. & Bird, W. (2006). Shades of Prejudice: An Investigation into the South African Media's Coverage of Racial Violence and Xenophobia. Race and Citizenship in Transition Series. (1.48 MB).
  
  
• Valji, N. (2003). Creating the Nation: The Rise of Violent Xenophobia in the New South Africa. Unpublished Masters Thesis. (272kb)
   
• Harris, B. (2002). Xenophobia: A New Pathology for a New South Africa?  In Hook, D. & Eagle, G. (eds) Psychopathology and Social Prejudice. Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press. (223kb)
   
• Palmary, I. (2002). Refugees, Safety and Xenophobia in South African Cities: The Role of Local Government. Research report written for the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation. (204kb)
   
• Abrahams, B. & Hajiyiannis, H. (2001). A Baseline Study to Determine Levels of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Relation to Reproductive Health Among Male and Female Refugees Aged Between 10 and 24 Years, Living in Gauteng Province, South Africa . Research report commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), October. (364kb)
   
• Harris, B. (2001). A Foreign Experience: Violence, Crime and Xenophobia During South Africa's Transition. Violence and Transition Series, Vol. 5, August. (678kb)