Piri Musa, a Malawian immigrant in his early 30s, faced an ultimatum to shut down his Soweto-based tuck shop within 30 days after revealing his foreign origins to a group demanding identification documents. The rise in such incidents, where businesses are targeted, reflects a disturbing trend affecting foreign nationals in South Africa.
Musa’s experience is not isolated, as a surge in anti-migrant sentiments intensifies in the run-up to the country’s upcoming general elections. Right-wing political forces and populist leaders capitalize on these sentiments, blaming migrants for job scarcity, portraying them as criminals, and alleging strain on social services.
South Africa, since the end of apartheid in 1994, has attracted over 2 million migrants from Africa and Asia. The majority hail from neighboring Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Mozambique, with additional significant populations from Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China.
Operation Dudula, a vigilante group turned political party, is at the forefront of the anti-migrant movement, specifically targeting businesses owned by foreign nationals. The Zulu term “Dudula,” meaning to drive out or evict, encapsulates the group’s mission as they coerce African and Asian immigrants to leave their communities.
Reminiscent of the xenophobic violence in May 2008, when at least 62 people were killed and hundreds displaced, concerns grow about a potential repeat. Movements like Dudula contribute to the escalating rhetoric, fostering an environment where xenophobic attacks could surpass previous incidents.
The perilous situation is exacerbated by unemployment rates hovering around 32%, creating a volatile environment where migrants are perceived as competitors for limited resources. Dale McKinley of Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia warns of the heightened risk of violence due to prevailing socioeconomic conditions.
Despite acknowledging the potential for isolated incidents, McKinley suggests that large-scale attacks are not expected. The root cause, he emphasizes, lies in political opportunism and right-wing groups exploiting the issue for political gains.
The scapegoating of migrants by certain segments of society, echoing the sentiments pushed by groups like Dudula, reflects a dangerous trend. Mametlwe Sebei, president of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, asserts that politicians are using migrants to deflect responsibility for their own failures, with counterrevolutionary fascist parties gaining traction in the political landscape.
