I am concerned about the wrongful violent attacks on foreign nationals in Alexander, South Africa and other areas that have decided to emulate this onslaught including the misconception that lies behind these savage attacks on mankind.
I have concerns and reservations on:
1. Whether there is a connection between Xenophobia and
Vigilantism?
The definitions of the two points differently as the former relates to the fear or contempt of that which is foreign or unknown, especially of strangers or foreign people and the latter referring to attitude and conduct which is deeply connected to the fundamental issues of morality, the nature of justice, the limits of bureaucratic authority and the ethical function of legitimate governance in a particular country.
2. Whether is there a connection between Alexander Township
and xenophobia?
In my moral opinion there is no connection, let alone a justification for this cultivated behaviour. A section of the alienated population of Alexander has been found to have been living in the area for more than 10 to 20 years and more. I find it difficult to believe that all the violence in Alexander has got to do with any fear, therefore xenophobic as there are elements of any phobia underlying the violence. When foreign nationals came into South Africa, particularly in Alexander, there were no phobias as people understood their conditions and reasons (i.e. better living conditions) to be living there. With the passage of time they were integrated into the society without any phobia. Some of the victims of this kind of violent attacks were already citizens in the country and the community of Alexander has accepted their presence and existence.
3. Whether is the violence in Alexander Township xenophobic
or criminal or just pure vigilantism?
There is an underlying misconception on this violence. The misconception is that this phenomenon is described as a phobia (Greek word “phobos”, meaning “fear” an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, or persons) which is simply a behavior rather than a state of mind in the psychological sense. The violence in Alexander is highly characterized by acts of crime and vigilantism than xenophobia. A section of the “disgruntled group” in Alexander has completely taken a seemingly calculated decision to forcibly remove and illegally confiscate people’s property for themselves under the pretext of xenophobia which constitutes a crime from a legal point of reality. In my opinion it seems these acts of violence also have much to do with the disregard for human life and their rights as human beings.
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