In South Africa, a surge of xenophobic violence is being fueled by the ruling African National Congress (ANC)’s rhetoric scapegoating foreign nationals for the country’s socio-economic problems. This has created an environment where far-right vigilante groups feel emboldened to target immigrants.
The article details how the ANC, facing growing discontent over issues like unemployment and inequality, has increasingly blamed undocumented migrants for these problems. This official narrative provides justification for discriminatory policies and creates a climate of hostility toward foreigners.
This has translated into organized efforts by groups like Operation Dudula and the Patriotic Alliance to “cleanse” communities of foreigners. These groups operate outside the law, raiding homes and businesses, assaulting individuals, and demanding that undocumented migrants leave the country.
The article argues that the ANC’s xenophobic rhetoric, combined with a failing economy and a weak rule of law, has created a dangerous situation where vulnerable migrant communities are at risk of violence and displacement. The government’s failure to protect these communities and to publicly condemn the actions of vigilante groups further exacerbates the problem. The piece suggests this violence serves as a distraction from the ANC’s own failures and lays the groundwork for further instability.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/10/07/lxeo-o07.html