The latest round of xenophobic
attacks around the country, have sparked off much debate, concern, and
condemnation of such despicable acts of violence. The most blatant example is
the open attack and subsequent death of one Mozambican, Emmanuel Sithole, in
the township of Alexandria. With the SAPs seemingly inept in managing and
controlling the chaos, the questionable decision of deploying SADF troops to
quell the violence was more an over-reaction by Government than a genuine
attempt to once and for all resolve the crisis efficiently. The subsequent
shooting of an EFF member, while protesting the xenophobia attacks in
Alexandria, a few days later proves there is little tolerance for those
sympathising with the situation, hence the SAPS leadership running for cover!
The fact that the xenophobia
debacle has reared its ugly head again since the attacks in 2008, proves that
the Government has not done enough to prevent the same from recurring. In an act of blatant denial various top
officials in Government blamed everything from collusion of third force
elements in society to criminal elements among the mobs instigating the
violence. The most farcical excuse came from none other than our Karaoke king, who
once again played the Apartheid card as the main source of violence in this
country and as the indirect course of the violent attacks on foreigners. Not
once did he mention or condemn the irresponsibility of our leaders inciting violence
on foreigners.
Our Government and Leadership are
solely to blame for the attacks happening again. It’s quite clear that very little or nothing
was done to prevent it from recurring. Our borders are still as porous as it
was, and possibly worse since 2008. There are little regulations governing the
influx of foreigners, whether legal or illegal. The unemployment rate has
steadily stagnated since 2008, with no significant decrease. No measures were put in place to ensure South
African citizens gets first privilege for job security or business entrepreneurship.
There is no process to ensure illegal immigrants are deported back to their
home countries. There is no legislation outlawing the practice of employing
foreigners at a fraction of the cost of employing South Africans. Prominent leaders
in society make public speeches with vitriol bordering on hate speech, and then
get protected by government unconditionally.
Instead, Msihini wam stands on a
podium making his annual Freedom day speech and claims that they (the
Government) is not the only ones to blame for the chaos. Forget about him being
the responsible leader and taking accountability. Forget about the buck stops
with him. Similarly, writing open letters with empty promises to foreign
journalists is not considered to be part of a 10 point plan. Turning a blind
eye to reckless public speeches by prominent leaders is reminiscent of an ostrich
with his head in the sand. The disgraceful way that our Leaders have conducted
themselves throughout this chaotic mess, has culminated in retaliatory actions
from our African neighbors with far reaching effects in diplomatic relations in
the short to medium term. It’s time we as the South African electorate demands
real leadership.