South Africa: Anti-Migrant Violence Kills, Thousands Flee

Just 30 years after Nelson Mandela warned against hatred of foreigners, South Africa is again gripped by deadly anti-migrant violence. At least six people have been killed in recent weeks, and thousands have fled the country. The unrest is driven by groups blaming migrants for unemployment, crime, and poor public services. On Tuesday, thousands marched in the streets, marking an arbitrary “deadline” set by campaign groups for foreigners to leave. In the days before, more than 25,000 people left South Africa. Some countries evacuated their nationals. Many individuals fled in fear. Mozambique reports that five of its citizens were killed in anti-foreigner attacks in May. Ghana says one of its citizens was killed on Monday, though South African officials have given different accounts. Migrants have also been blocked from hospitals and other services by groups like Operation Dudula and March & March. Mandela once said: “We are not victims to the influx of foreign people.” Today, experts say leaders must have the courage to say the same: foreigners are not the cause of South Africa’s domestic problems.