Shops looted and set ablaze.
Terrified foreigners hiding in police
stations and stadiums. Machete-wielding
attackers hacking immigrants
to death in
major cities in South Africa.
As attacks against foreigners and their
businesses rage on, killing at least 10
people this week, other nations in the
continent are scrambling to evacuate
their citizens from South Africa. But this
is not the first time xenophobic violence
has exploded in a country that tries to
portray itself as a diverse "rainbow"
nation.
What triggered this week's attacks?
They started after Zulu King Goodwill
Zwelithini said at a recent gathering that
foreigners "should pack their bags and
go" because they are taking jobs from
citizens, local media reported.
Shortly after his comments, violence
against immigrants erupted in the port
city of Durban.
His office has denied he made the
comments , saying journalists misquoted
him. While kings are mostly ceremonial
figures in the nation, they are influential
in their communities.
But the United Nations said the attacks
started in March after a labor dispute
between citizens and foreign workers.
Why are immigrants targeted?
Some citizens have accused African
immigrants of taking their already scarce
jobs, undermining businesses owned by
locals and contributing to a high crime
rate. The nation's unemployment rate is
about 25%, according to government
figures.
But resentment over porous borders,
growing crime rates, poverty and
corruption are also a major concern,
analysts say.
President Jacob Zuma has said his
government is addressing the social and
economic concerns. But he said
immigrants contribute to the nation's
economy and bring skills that are in
demand, and should not be stereotyped
as criminals.
"While some foreign nationals have been
arrested for various crimes, it is
misleading and wrong to label or regard
all foreign nationals as being involved in
crime in the country," Zuma said.
How many immigrants are in South
Africa?
The nation has about 2 million
documented and undocumented
immigrants, which is about 4% of the
total population, according to a study by
the University of the Witwatersrand.
Zimbabweans make up the largest group
of immigrants.
Also, South Africa is a top travel
destination for wealthy Africans because
of its proximity and developed
infrastructure.
Has South Africa had xenophobic
attacks before?
Yes. This is the latest in a series of
attacks that date back years.
In January, looters burned businesses
owned by foreigners in another wave of
xenophobic attacks. In addition, there
were other incidents of violence last year,
Human Rights Watch said.
Seven years ago, Johannesburg was the
epicenter of more anti-immigrant
tensions that left dozens dead in attacks
that later spread to Cape Town. Most of
the victims were Zimbabweans who had
fled repression and dire economic
circumstances. In those attacks, police
arrested more than 200 people on various
charges, including rape, murder, robbery
and theft.
In 2006, xenophobic violence broke out
again for several months in Cape Town.
What are other African nations doing
about it?
Victims of xenophobic attacks have been
from various African nations, including
Nigeria, Somalia and Ethiopia.
African nations have condemned the
attacks. Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe are
just a few of the countries evacuating
their citizens from South Africa.
In Zambia, local radio station QFM said it
will not play South African music in
solidarity with the victims.
And in Mozambique, South African
energy and chemical giant Sasol sent
about 340 South African nationals home.
The company said Mozambican
employees voiced concern about
reported violence against their nationals
and protested the presence of South
African employees in Mozambique.
Is inequality a contributing factor?
Most of the attacks have erupted in poor
and marginalized areas.
Despite the progress the nation has
made since its apartheid days, inequality
still remains a major concern, according
to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
"It is up to the present and next
generations to take up the cudgels where
you (Mandela) have left off. It is up to
them, through service to deepen our
democracy; entrench and defend our
constitution; eradicate poverty; eliminate
inequality; fight corruption, and serve
always with compassion, respect,
integrity and tolerance," the foundation
said in a statement.
"Xenophobia, racism and sexism must be
fought with tenacity, wisdom and
enlightenment."
As fears of more attacks grow, South
Africans have taken to social media and
the streets to protest xenophobia and
violence.
