Statement by Sam Shabane, GOOD National Chairperson
14 June 2021
Xenophobes in Gauteng are being mobilised to gather in Soweto on 16 June to remove “illegal foreign nationals by force”.
At the same time, a voice-clip circulating on social media featuring the owner of a trucking company being warned against employing foreign drivers or face violent consequences is causing considerable disquiet. The owner of the company responds that complaints about foreigners should be directed to the ANC, and threatens to shoot anyone interrupting his business.
These disturbing developments appear to be part of a growing trend to harness people’s fears and prejudices – particularly in Gauteng – to advance a political agenda. To harness hatred.
The people who fan hatred must be stopped.
Those who stoke xenophobic hatred should face the same criminal consequences that those who stoke racism, sexism and homophobia do.
By failing to act against the authors and distillers of hatred, including politicians, our criminal justice system becomes a key cog in a shameful cycle of violence.
South Africa’s constitution is founded on equal rights and justice. There can be no real justice in societies that permit selective discrimination and practise selective justice.
The desperate state of South Africa’s economy, joblessness and grinding poverty do not rationalise the selective targeting of African migrants and refugees.
We know that there are foreign nationals, including economic migrants seeking better opportunities, who entered the country illegally. Here, too, the law must take its course. Implementing the country’s immigration policies cannot be left to prejudiced politicians and community vigilantes.
Stoking indiscriminate hatred of people born north of our borders ignores the inconvenient fact that many foreign-born nationals are contributing to the economy and employing South Africans.
There activities and relative success contribute to South Africa being considered a safe haven by other investors.
Apartheid did its best to dehumanise South Africans of colour. What it left of our humanity must be nurtured, not further eroded. When we close the space for prejudice, we can begin to reduce xenophobic and gender-based violence, and all other manifestations of discrimination-driven crime.
South Africans are generally homely and hospitable. They already live in the shadow of more than enough violence.
There is a particular responsibility on the leaders of our society to lead by example.
Those who spew xenophobic hatred and play politics with foreign nationals’ lives – who spit in the face of the late Tata Nelson Mandela and his spirit of ubuntu – must cease and desist.
ENDS…