Violence have broken out in various areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Targeting businesses owned by foreign nationals, these clashes have led to store owners evacuating their places of business and an increased sense of unease within immigrant communities.
Started since late March, these confrontations have resulted in small businesses owned by foreign nationals being attacked, particularly in townships neighboring Durban. Most of these businesses-known commonly as spaza shops, have been forced to close down, with owners retreating to safety.
Police were called in to control the situation after protests started over into confrontations, local authorities stated. In some areas, authorities fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds, with reports of shop looting and harassment also emerging.
The outbreaks come at a time when South Africa is still facing significant joblessness issues; the rate is currently recorded at slightly above 30%. Economical hardship has long been cited as the primary reason behind the increasing hostility towards foreign nationals, many of whom engage in the business of operating small retail shops, predominantly in disadvantaged areas.
Migrants from countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Pakistan, and Nigeria, among others, have been the worst hit in this violence. These individuals and families have found opportunities and sustainable sources of income through small-scale business, in areas where traditional retailers fail to make a presence.
Videos on social media also indicate mobs confrontation shopkeepers and alleging that foreign nationals are snatching up opportunities meant for South Africans, exacerbating the already volatile conditions. These videos quickly began circulating on social media networks, creating many questions about handling of foreign businesses in South Africa.
Rights organizations and community leaders have been vocal about the danger of this developing situation leading into widespread xenophobic violence should it be contained swiftly. Past incidents of such confrontations have led to deaths, mass displacements and considerable damage to property.
The violence has also coincided with a rise in activism by organizations like Operation Dudula, who have previously called for strong measures against undocumented immigrants. Political figures have also reiterated demands for enhanced immigration enforcement, putting immense pressure on government authorities.
In the meantime, the police have also shut down over a hundred small shops on charges of failed to comply with regulatory and health requirements. Authorities have maintained that inspections are an essential part of maintaining standards, but critics of the police claim that foreign businesses are disproportionately targeted.
Many immigrants have expressed their feelings of fear and despair, with some already deciding to leave the business areas altogether, while others continue to hide until their places of business can be operated with the safety assurance.
Police are patrolling the affected areas. However, tensions still run high within the affected communities, with locals at odds, and the risk of further violence persisting.
