Urgent need to protect victims of xenophobic attacks
Lawyers for Human Rights is concerned that victims of xenophobic attacks in and around
We are especially concerned at recent attacks in Olifantsfontein on the East Rand in which it appears that 32 foreign nationals were attacked and robbed of their belongings. These people were also told to leave the country by their attackers. The police in response to these attacks proceeded to arrest these victims as they were unable to produce any documentation as to their lawful status in South Africa. They have since been transported to the Lindela Holding Facility to be detained pending deportation. There appears to be no consideration for the protection of these victims despite assurances made by the Minister of Home Affairs.
Surely criminals must not be encouraged to attack foreign nationals because they know that they will most likely be deported before they are able to act at witness in a trial. Further, the xenophobic attacks that have been so far affected many communities in the rest of South Africa have finally spread to Gauteng. The result has been civil unrest, violence and the deaths of four people so far. It is unfortunate that this problem did not receive the government’s attention until it arrived on the doorstep of South Africa’s largest city. The Minister of Home Affairs has assured victims of xenophobic attacks that they will find security with the police instead of the threats of detention and deportation.