Foreign nationals living in Johannesburg expressed fear over their safety after violent anti-immigrant protests in South Africa.
“Some people say Zimbabweans are criminals. Not all of us are like that. We came here to work for our families and our children,” Petunia, a Zimbabwean migrant living in Johannesburg, said on Tuesday.
Her South African friend, Sizi, argued migrants are often hardworking members of their communities and deserve support rather than hostility.
“These people are very creative. They are not lazy. They don’t just give up,” she stated.
Congolese migrant Wilondja Omari Jamse, who fled the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, explained that returning home is not an option because of continuing violence there. But he also worries about growing hostility in South Africa.
“My life is in danger,” he said. “At any time they can come to kill me. I feel that I will die with my family.”
Among those affected is Zimbabwean workshop owner Mr Miouri, who described attacks on foreign nationals as both shocking and deeply painful.
“When they attacked us, it was a surprise…deep in my heart I feel very hurt,” he said.
This comes after a surge in anti-migrant rallies and violence across South Africa, with demonstrators accusing foreigners of taking their jobs, contributing to crime and straining public services.
Several West African states have announced repatriation flights for their citizens including Ghana and Nigeria while others like Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, have urged their citizens in South Africa to exercise caution.
Source: Viory
