South Africa: A timeline of recurring waves of xenophobic violence
Key takeaways
- For nearly two decades, South Africa has suffered recurring bouts of xenophobic attacks.
- Critics say that political rhetoric around immigration, combined with deep economic frustration, has helped fuel this sense of hostility toward foreigners;
- DW takes a look at how xenophobia in South Africa has evolved over the years.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
For nearly two decades, South Africa has suffered recurring bouts of xenophobic attacks. From deadly riots in 2008 to the rise of Operation Dudula, thousand of foreign nationals have been displaced time and again.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DPTWAttacks on foreigners have been recurring in South Africa over the past two decades, resulting in widespread destruction Image: Kim Ludbrook/dpa/picture alliance Advertisement For more than two decades, South Africa has had to reckon with repeated outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence targeting mainly African migrants and refugees from some neighboring nations and beyond.
Critics say that political rhetoric around immigration, combined with deep economic frustration, has helped fuel this sense of hostility toward foreigners; time and again, foreign nationals have been beaten, displaced, killed and had their businesses looted in various parts of the country.