Violent protests have erupted in Durban amid anger over the presence of immigrants and a Constitutional Court decision directing the Department of Home Affairs to begin issuing asylum permits to immigrants who entered South Africa without legal documentation.
The Constitutional Court is right to recognise the circumstances many asylum seekers face. People fleeing war, persecution or the threat of death may have no time or money to obtain passports or visas. Their claims must be considered fairly, and their rights protected in accordance with South Africa’s Constitution and international human-rights and refugee protections.
Blaming immigrants for every hardship—from poverty and hunger to crime and unemployment—is both unjust and dangerous. The reality is that millions of South Africans face severe poverty and unemployment. These deep-rooted problems cannot simply be laid at the feet of foreign nationals.
False claims and disinformation can turn frustration into hostility, encouraging people to target vulnerable communities. Criminals may also exploit the tension: foreign-owned tuckshops have reportedly been looted, while cars and other private property have been vandalised in Durban’s central business district.
Foreign nationals in Durban are living in fear, and children have been traumatised by the violence. Police have fired rubber bullets to control crowds. These events demand calm, protection for those at risk, and a clear rejection of violence and scapegoating.
South Africa’s challenges are real, but attacking immigrants will not solve them. Communities deserve honest answers and effective action on poverty, unemployment and crime—not misinformation that puts lives and livelihoods in danger.
Collen Makumbirofa
Voice of the Downtrodden
makumbirofac@gmail.com
