Xenophobic attacks leave misery in their wake

NICOLA MILTZ

“Foreigners are terrified,” said Petersen. “Most still can’t move around, and many who work aren’t able to travel, and risk losing their jobs.

“Shops are still boarded up or smouldering after being burnt. Kids aren’t going to school. People are uncertain, and nobody seems to know what’s going to happen next. We have never witnessed such brutality in the 10 years we have been doing this work. We have seen footage we could never share. It’s honestly too much to bare at times.”

Petersen and Gewer, are among the five directors of Afrika Awake, a non-profit organisation assisting those displaced and affected by xenophobic violence, told the SA Jewish Report this week that the situation remains volatile and unpredictable. The other three are: Gabriel Hertis, from Rwanda; Serge Lwamba from the Congo and Charles Khoza who is also from another African country.

The xenophobic attacks that recently gripped many parts of Gauteng and other provinces are still simmering, leaving intense misery as hundreds are displaced having lost everything, they say.

Law-enforcement agencies stepped up efforts to quell sporadic attacks only this week, especially in the Johannesburg central business district, but according to Afrika Awake and other human-rights organisations, the future for hundreds of foreigners lies in the balance.

“I’m definitely not breathing a sigh of relief. We still don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Petersen.

“The attacks have slowed down since Sunday. In some areas, like Bloemfontein, where police were warned, they have managed to foil attacks,” she said.

The City of Johannesburg deployed more than 1 000 metro police officers to help quell the violence. Twelve people have died, and close to 700 have been arrested. About 800 are being housed in community shelters in Ekurhuleni. Dozens of foreign-owned shops and businesses have been completely looted and in some cases, burnt to the ground.

“Xenophobia doesn’t just disappear, anything can erupt at any given time,” Petersen said. “We try to calm people down and get them help immediately. In some cases, they call to report an attack. We usually try to find out what the situation is, and if police are on the scene. If not, we report it.

“Generally people call asking for advice about what to do, and where to go. One said they had not left their room for a week. Many have no money for rent or food, and are too afraid to go to work for fear of being attacked. I leave my phone on 24/7 in case there is an emergency,” she said.

The organisation was formed in 2013, but operated unofficially long before that, ever since xenophobic violence broke out in South Africa in 2008.

“We first respond with emergency aid when xenophobic violence leaves people displaced. We provide the basics like food, tents, clothing, and blankets. Sometimes they literally have nothing left,” Petersen said, pointing out that the organisation is funded by donations.

Thereafter, they try to assist people to reintegrate back into communities by helping with accommodation, employment, and schooling.

They also do their best to encourage social cohesion and goodwill among locals and foreign nationals by engaging in various initiatives to tackle some of the root causes of xenophobia, namely employment and lack of opportunity.

Politicians put the blame on foreign migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees for many of the social ills and hardship experienced by the majority of South Africans. Experts say political parties see anti-immigrant, xenophobic, and Afrophobic rhetoric as a way to attract votes. Representatives of migrant communities likewise accuse senior officials in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and other politicians of using xenophobic language that encourages attacks.

“It doesn’t matter how the government tries to frame these attacks as being acts of criminality, they are rooted in xenophobia, and our politicians are totally complicit,” Petersen said. “Their tone and attitude towards foreigners is inciteful and full of hate, no matter how much they keep on denying it.”

The ANC finally came out strongly on Tuesday against the spate of violent attacks on foreign nationals living in South Africa, having initially blamed the violence on criminality. “No matter what grievances people may have, there can be no justification for the acts of arson, assault, looting, and murder that have been committed against both South African and foreign nationals,” it said.

“South Africa is signatory to a number of international conventions regarding migration and refugee protection. Many of the foreign nationals in our country have fled war and oppression in their countries. All citizens should be proud that South Africa, with its strong human-rights culture, Constitution and refugee-protection laws, continues to offer safety and refuge to oppressed men, women and children from many parts of the world,” according to the ANC’s statement.

Even though the violence on Sunday was concentrated in the impoverished centre of Johannesburg, there is fear that it will spread to other neighbourhoods.

Jevon Greenblatt of the Community Security Organisation (CSO) said the organisation was closely monitoring the situation. “We are watching events, and making sure that we are prepared to deal with any threats to the community because of the proximity of the attacks.”

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) this week called for monetary donations to assist those affected by the attacks. For the past 11 years, it has been involved in the fight against xenophobia and Afrophobia.

Wendy Kahn, SAJBD national director, said the board had engaged continuously with refugee and human-rights nongovernmental organisations to monitor the situation, determine needs, and how the Jewish community could assist.

“In this way, the funds that we have collected from generous and concerned members of our community can be effectively and responsibly channelled. Working with these organisations, the board is able to play an activist role, speaking up against these disturbing events,” she said.

Meanwhile, Afrika Awake will this week assist 113 people in Richards Bay who have been displaced for weeks, as well as 160 Ethiopians who have been stranded in the Free State. The organisation needs food, clothing, tents, and ongoing funding.

“We are trying to get the details of all those killed to see how we can send something to their families at home. It’s the least we can do. We failed them. South Africa failed them. This government failed them. The manner in which some were killed makes us wonder how their families can ever recover,” said Petersen.