I'am South African and I want to assure the world that they must understand that only a minority of useless South Africans are commiting these atrocities and we are deeply sorry for what has happened over the last week or so. The criminals who are attacking our African brothers are useless and they have nothing better to do, they consume alcohol during the whole day and plan horrible deeds against our brothers and sisters from the African continent due to laziness, jelousy and sheer stupidity. We as South African we are embarrased and we really sympathise with the people who have been affected by these violence, we want to assure the world that all the criminals will be arrested and dealt with.

it is sad that the piolice won't take responsibility

why is this happenig all over again. Is the mother land that bad. Is the people upset about something.what is it .I can not take this. Is really bad and its spreading to the united states fast......

South Africans should remember that the hard times in Zimbabwe will pass.Its a bad season for us,but its imperative that I tell u that your country will hit a bad patch sometime.Do you remember what Zimbabwe did for you during apartheid?you guys forget easily ha?fake neighbors how can u kill fellow brothers and sisters like that,literally burn them alive.Its so painful so say the very least.All I know is that God is still with those foreigners in S.A and they can take comfort in that..South Africans why?u think u can pimp on God?Nobody is gangsta enough,nobody aint thug enough let me tell you sum u aint that hard.....

You forgot to mention the outrages black on white crime and the systematic genocide that is taking place against the white farmers! Once the blacks have killed, raped and chased out the 5 million whites that remain in South Africa it will go the same way as the rest of Africa, no economy, no infrastructure and no hope. You also don’t mention that ANC government turns a blind eye to the refugees from Zimbabwe so long as they vote ANC.

The country is far worse off than under the previous government and the real issues have yet to yet the preverbal fan. At least once a day a young white girl is dragged out of her car or dragged into her home gang raped by blacks then tied up and then shot like a dog and left for her parents and others to see! Were the police when this happens! Were are you? Were your reports on this? Before I finish what about the anti-white hiring policies? It’s very simple math when the Tax base can not support the population it’s done.

Robyn,

This is Africa, as I Know it. I was born there. The average man will not lend a hand to the downtrodden.

Thank God for the US. We have done a wonderful job to try to care as much as we do. Thank you , America – without you I don't know where we would be in this world

Those people in south africa commiting these genocide against their fellow african have lost it all. How would they feel if all South africans working abroad or in other african countries are also killed or sent packing because they are immigrant. Can you imagine the police watched someone dying not offering any help. What a shame. They should just take their advert off CNN because we now know who they are. Are those the police expected to protect everybody? Any visitor to that country is only putting his/her life at risk.

this is so sad to see foreigners in south africa been beaten to death nd also burnt to death........this is really affecting the world at large.they foreigners,immignants are there in south africa to have a better life nd most of them been from zimbabwe,its coz of there country condition which is bad...as africans why cant we unite and help each other...rather than killing each other....

As a legal immigrant in SA and African,i feel so ashamed to be assoicated with South Africa because what goes around comes around,and what goes up must come down.Tommorow they will run to other african countreis for help..Who would want to help them..Its a shame on igonorant and uneducated South Africans

It is a disgusting shame that South Africans are now turning against the people who for years hosted them and their leaders while they were in exile during apartheid. Just shows you humans never learn.

Well I guess it is the beginning of the end of another African country that held some promise but when this kind of barbarism goes on, believe me there are incitors somewhere higher up.

Who would have thought that South Africans who went through what they did not too long ago would result to murder and rape of the very people who morally and financially supported their cause for freedom?
That country will never be the same after this spilling of innocent blood. Shame! Shame! Shame!

i just do not understand the hatred....

....gaia is weeping now.....

As Rodgers and Hammerstein say, "you've got to be carefully taught." True the world over.

it is so unfortunate that the south africans seem to forget that these foriegners it were who screamed to the highest heavens and joined in the struggle against aparthide. you dont take the failure of your government out on innocent defenceless people. you did not have a say in where you were born. its so sad

when poor people have very little to lose because their lives are so miserable they do not have the luxury of philosophies or religions of the mind that other people in better positions judge by such standards. a hatred of aliens who invade their miserable turf is what occupies their mind.

This makes me sick thinking about it. Where is our great United Nations that does not coordinate efforts to establish war on this type of government and those type of people.

I would not provide relief to those type of governments either, eventually the people will rebel and enilate the animals who have mistreated them.

Tahe that government that had the Typhoon and won't allow the US to come in and give direct support, it has to come from that terrorist Government. I would not give aid to such countries, let the people revolt against their government. We just fuel the fire against Americans and Europeans by allowing those governments to brainwash their people.

Wow, you "white" americans are soft, weak, and spineless. You live in a happy bubble, where you expect someone to always help you need helping hand.

You are so ignorant, so naive to think this type of conflict and behavior is "newsworthy" or unusual. Guess what? It happens everyday around the clock and around the world.

FYI - it's a dog eat dog world outside your ivory tower. Ruthlessness and might determines who survives. Congrats on your degree of naiveté from Brown, Columbia, or Berkley. You sure got your monies worth.

This is a sad commentary on the state of things in Africa (in this case, South Africa). Unfortunately Africa is devoid of visionary leaders to make life better for its people. Unless something drastic happens the situation will only get worse.

As a Canadian who spent 23 years in South Africa this comes as no surprise. The problem that we have in North America is that we envisage the South African black to be the same as our "persons of colour" I believe this is the correct term these days. While things were tough under the Nationalist Party, at least the blacks in South Africa were better off than anywhere else in Africa. The same can be said for Rhodesia under UDI. As terrible as these events seem to us here in America, these are common place events in Africa. From law and order in many foreign colonies there is now complete entropy.
Just telling it the way I see it.. Been there done that!

Other african nations have had political and economic refugees without violence. Even South Africans themselves lived in
neighbouring countries during apartheid. Is this how they repay
them? Is South africa still safe enough to host the world cup? I hope FIFA is watching. what a shame.

I'm so heart broken. How do they expect an African like me to even think of being a tourist in South Africa. I very well could be mistaken for an immigrant!!!!!

THE WHOLE THING IS SO SHOCKING I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. JUST UNBELIEVABLE

Hate is an awful burden to carry. Those who chose to make up this feeling in their heads will one day, hopefully, see the light. Is it boredom that leads people to this 'outlet'? The need for entertainment, no matter how sick?

Some day, some where, those who chose compassion will live in peace. Those who chose to continue hating will witness their own demise.

We all end up dead one way or another. How you get there can be of your own chosing. Will you be wishing for forgiveness in the end?

May you reach the end of your life without the blood of others on your hands. May you reach the end of your life having not witnessed such crimes. May you chose to hold that man's hand.

Perhaps one day it will be you, lying there. Dying. Alone. Chose goodness and fight for that instead. For some, hatred comes too easily.

For those of us alive in this moment in time, we can spread compassion. We can feel good. Let's chose to do it. Let's do it now. Reach out and touch someone with love. There's no better feeling in the world.

Where are the "do-gooders" like Al Sharpton and other champions of injustice when real human tragedy abound? No where to be seen when there is no political gain I suspect!

This country is supposed to be hosting the world in two years for football's biggest prize... the crackdown on this brutality, this inhumanity, this totally unacceptable behaviour, needs to begin now... otherwise FIFA needs to consider relocating the World Cup to somewhere where this is not tolerated. If not, we all should consider staying clear of the World Cup and watching it on TV at home if this is how they treat foreigners and visitors.

Totally unacceptable.

We are surely in the later days,when the real things are not seen to be real things.The authorities arent doing there work ,or really paying attention to there earthly human needs of there citizen.FOODCLOTHEN thats the key solution.

I am a Zimbabwean living in the UAE, but tell you what i prefer being at home than in the hot weather of the desert. I pray that one day God will answer and it will be there for all to see. People are fasting and praying at home and in diaspora for divine intervention and for sure its coming. Our tears will not shed in vain but His love will dry them soon, and i mean soon. As for the South Africans killing foreigners, do not be used by the devil to destoy your future and the country's chance to host the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament. Nelson Madhikizela Mandela fought hard for the occasion and dont disappoint him and the whole of Africa at large. Every life you take away will meet you in Heaven. God is fair and what goes around comes around.

Any hope for Africa?

The distortions and outright lies of racial demagogues, academic hacks and media mythmakers have come back to bite them, though undoubtedly they will manage to blame the sorry state of South Africa and Zimbabwe on "the legacy of white colonialism". It's not politically correct to recall that it was Nelson Mandela and his "freedom fighters" who invented the necklaces, nor politically correct to suggest that that Robert Mugabe makes Ian Smith look like Franklin Roosevelt, nor politically correct to acknowledge that corruption, gangsterism and murder are far more widespread in today's "free" African kleptocracies than they ever were under the nasty old colonials.

And after fashionably depicting apartheid as something akin to Nazim, the academic and media effetes would be loath to admit that had they butted out and allowed countries like Rhodesia and the Union of South Africa to evolve under stable white rule which admitted blacks to the political process as they became qualified, these nations would be far better off today. Vain Westerners cannot fathom that much of the chronic chaos of Sub-Equitorial Africa is related to the intervention and interference their own "Me, Now" generation.

I am a young black South African woman currently residing in South Africa. Firstly I just need to make it clear to the rest of the world that I do not, along with a very large percentage of SA citizens, support the Xenephobic attacks that are taking place in our country. We are both ashamed and angered by our brothers and sisters' behaviour .Secondly I would like apoligize to the rest of the world , especially to our fellow African brothers sisters who are living in SA. I am aware that my apology will not bring back any lives, but hopefully it will bring some kind of comfort........There's been reports that the violence has toned down considerbly, so we should be seeing end to this tragedy very soon.

"At least once a day a young white girl is dragged out of her car or dragged into her home gang raped by blacks then tied up and then shot like a dog and left for her parents and others to see!"

Here we go with the "Raping of the white girl" myth. Dude this lie has been well used and worn out in the states. Get over yourselves. Provide real statitistics of this or simply be quiet.

Reply to Steve S: Ok hold on a minute there, things were "not better" under apatheid, and things were not rosy in Rhodesia.
God forbid we ever go back there. I have a theory the white supremacy rule created the present situation in Southern Africa. If Ian Smith had not been a hard headed idiot, Mugabe would have never gone into power. As for Thabo Mbeki he is a sorry excuse of a man, taking over from Mandela and De Clerk. I do not care for the present ANC, they will pay for their crimes against humanity
What is happening in SA is inexcusable and shameful. As a Zimbabwean, born in the 80's I am perplexed by the way South Africans are treating Zimbabweans.I was taught to pray for the liberation of the South African opressed, and this is the thank u my fellow countrymen get barely 15 years later. I remember watching Safarina, and crying for the poor in Soweto. Now it is my people dying in the dirt roads of South African ghetto's. See life has a way of turning around, the blood soaking in the dirt bears great testimony to God of the suffering and God will avenge.....

These are well organised and cordinated attacks by a 'Third Force' trying to distabilise the country for whatever reason. It's not South Africans in general. We have been accomodating refugees for a long time and we have no reason to start attacking them out of the clear blue sky.
The government and the UN should have set up proper refugee programs for them. Letting them enter at will and fend for themselves has exacerbated other problems like crime, shanty towns, unemployement, etc...but this is no reason for them to get killed.
Since Tuesday night there hasn't been attacks as police are searching for the organisers of these attacks.
To put everything into proper pespective, these attacks are not directed at all foreigners, only the influx from mainly Zim and Mozambique. It's also at specific places only. So be careful and not let your media mislead you. The situation is under control and the perpetrators will be caught soon.
Arkim – Johannesburg

South Africa is reverting back to the extreme violence that was prevalent pre 1994. Mbeki's silence and failure reference Zimbabwe will come back to haunt the ANC, as the poverty and hoplessness of SA's own people is revealed to the world in these outbreaks against foreigners, many of whom have fled violence and economic failure in their own countries. When he came to power Mbeki spoke of an African renaissance. Where is that renaissance now? As one watches the daily tragedy that is Zimbabwe and Kenya, it terribly sad to see SA lurching in the wrong direction.

Is the only difference between today and a few weeks ago the fact that it is now hitting international news???

How many murders are there on a daily basis? How many rapes? How many (white, black, Indian) people suffer mercilessly at the hands of criminals on a daily basis there?

How many of us, live here because this is NOT NEWS TO US!

I'm sorry for what is happening in SA. Very sorry.

But I am "happy" that the rest of the world is finally taking notice of something that has been a problem for years!

This is not news. This was "day-to-day" life for many of us when we were still in SA – wasn't it?

http://r2p2g.eu

Its sad to say that a nation that fought against inhuman system is doing exactly what it fought against. One will be pardon the racist elements against blacks that continues to play undertones tunes in the rainbow nation. Especially when the formerly suppressed act exactly they way they were viewed during apartheid by the oppressor, savages. Maybe we should stop taking about the injustices of apartheid in the past and first face up to the hatred and evil that seems to define South Africa as a nation.

nK
Cape Town

It is interesting to hear union leaders blaming the so-called 'Xenophobic' violence on Apartheid. I suppose that the rape of babies; the brutal slaughter of elderly farmers for a cell phone, and the wholesale blowing up of ATM's with stolen explosives by gangs armed with machine guns, to name but a few of the daily atrocities in this land, is also due to apartheid. What utter B*!ls!*t! It is purely and simply a culture of evil, godlessness and hatred. To the international community I say wake up and take the blinkers off. Do you really want your soccer fans to come her in 2010 to be mugged, raped or murdered for a pair of shoes. removing the World Cup might possibly motivate the morons who govern us to get the lawlessness under control.

I can't believe that South Africans have just forgotten their past so soon.Killing your own brother for a mere reason of taking your so-called jobs.What about those of you living in other parts of the globe.Dont forget very soon, you will experience the wrath of God.Ghana hosted and still keep a lot of refugees from Togo,Cote de Voire,Liberia and even Nigeria most of whom are now benefiting from the country but nothing of this sort happened! No wonder God is blessing them with everlasting pease on the continent. South Africa dont forget when you throw a ball against a wall, it will surely come back to you!!!!!!!!!

Xenophobia in all its ugliness is the unintended consequence of the short sightedness of the ANC and the government. A cursory glance at the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) will show a leftist communist leaning with a good dose of a criminal element (Convicted fraudsters and other criminal elements are welcome in the ANC). Under the ANC there was a uncontrolled inflow of foreigners who quickly excelled in drug trafficking, heists, car hi-jacking and other violent criminal activity. This inflow also demanded the same socio-economic benefits than the 40% unemployed. This was overseen by a police commissioner with gangster connections and implicated in criminal activity. South Africa became the preferred destination of drug lords and unscrupulous gangsters. Law abiding citizens have been at the receiving end of this criminal element. It would be less than ingenious to disregard the community’s patience running out with an ineffective police force run by ANC cadres unwilling to enforce the law – we only need to consider the implications of this bunch of idiots wanting to disband the only effective crime fighting unit, the Scorpions. The problem is not the people on the ground, the problem is in the ANC and the government who are conveniently deflecting blame, responsibility, accountability or whatever oversight structures that should be in place on a ‘third force’ and/or ‘right wing elements’ – read whites! The second line of responsibility is with the international community who conveniently turns a blind eye to Africa. The next phase of xenophobia will be the targeting the white population and other minority groups. Just look at the African history and watch it repeat itself in South Africa. Yes, I am a proud, but frightened sixth generation South African and probably a future refugee to the UK, EU, USA or whatever country that will selfrighteously open their hearts and doors after te event.

Hey Gary little white girls aren't the only people being violated
in South Africa. What is transpiring in South Africa at the moment
is the result of White inflicted degradation inflicted on the indigenous
tribes of South Africa. So for you to somehow suggest that at white
persons life is more precious than a Africans is appalling.
The question that needs to be asked is "When is Africa going to stop
making excuses for her current plight"? I would rather my race become extinct than to cower and continue to beg for European and American assistance. Perceived power is power if South Africans
can't abide by the law then chastise them severely! These puppet
leaders that are nothing more than house NICKAS, they need to be dealt with in a diplomatic manner! If the people of Africa really want a change then they should stand up and become one voice!

How does unemployment, the economy, crime–particularly violent crimes–and the general saftey of foreigners in South Africa stand now compared to under the Apartheid regime?

I would like to see white people in south africa killing the black south
africans, because they were like rat for years back in the country they were so proud of. Whereas, all african countries were not happy with
the way things have been handled 20 years ago!!!.

I would not like to see any black south African men or women in my
country again and they should die in their so call "Gold rich country"!.

As you all can see, "This were not white men attacking poeple, but
the so call stupid idiot black people with there black heart".

It is time for all african countries to ban south african blacks in there
countries forever without thinking twice.

What do you expect from these people. Under apartheid they had virtually no schools, no education and lots of them had no jobs. Then apartheid went and the ANC had to deliver what they had promised their supporters: education, housing, sanitation, work for everyone. Except the ANC could not deliver this because it was totally unrealistic. They still ive in shanty towns, they still are out of work and they still have no education. So now these people have been living in poverty since the 70's, that's almost 40 years. What have they got to lose? What understanding do they have of what's happening in the world, half of them can't even read or write. They are two lost generations of people who are without hope or future, so it's only natural that they turn to xenofobism and extreme violence. Why do you think Pakistan is such a hive of extremism? Because the people have no future there! Same goes for the Palestinians, as long as Israel denies them any rights of course they'll continue blowing themselves to pieces. Same for Iraq and large parts of Africa (Somalia, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivorycoast, Nigeria, etc.), all powderhouses waiting to blow up in violence and slaughter. Despair and lack of education feeds intolerance, hatred and extremism. I lived in South Africa for 4 years and I have been there many, many times. For as long as I have known, blacks, whites, coloreds and malays (indian descent) all hated each other. Zulus hated Xhosa, Xhosa hated Swazi and so on and so on. That apartheid has ended didn't change this, it's just the façade that has changed. Maybe 100 years from now things will have changed, but as long as people judge each other by ethnic group, tribe, race, color, religion, etc. instead of just seeing the humanity in each person, a lot of similar attrocities are still going to happen!

Jobless, homeless, uneducated, hungry, and poor…these are words describing the people committing these crimes. When faced with this misery people need someone to blame. First they blamed apartheid, hence the killing, rape, and torture of white South Africans. However, the world is too caught up in "apartheid" and "white-on-black" racism to notice the thousands of white South Africans slain yearly in their beloved country. Now that these people have turned their attention to illegal immigrants; killing 42...the world is finally noticing. While I do not agree with the xenophobic attacks, it is embarrassing that 42 deaths reach the front page of every newspaper, while the massacre of thousands of hard working honest South Africans goes unnoticed.

As a political scientist,I have the feelings that the west is behind this animalistic behaviour of the south africans.My hunch is that the act is directed towards the Zimbabweans,just to get them back to their country before the run off presidential election in june.Atleast with what they went through in the hands of the south africans they will psychological do everything possible to ensure that the government of Robert Mugabe is replaced by the opposition party...if only to make sure that there is relative peace in their own country.

C J NIGERIA

What is it that pushes Africans to kill mercilessly? I’m sad to see how Africa in general has gone during my lifetime. Why is it that every African’s dispute starts with a weapon and less words? Why Africans seems to not value life? I’m ashamed of being referred to as an African, I see that as a guilt by association, I would rather be referred to as from my specific country than being referred to as an associate of those who are coldhearted and will kill to prove a point; they would burn a human being alive to show their anger, they will rape and murder women to show passion toward their causes. Africans have shown a little respect if any at all toward human life; African will kill for power, pride, lust, food, money, rights, sex, languages, origins, tribalism, xenophobia, racism, and pleasure.

The biggest problem in Africa is not a lack of democracy, it’s not slavery, and it’s not colonization; it’s the predisposition of Africans to make themselves available to do evil. The level of egoism is incredibly disturbing; everyone put their indulgence before the best interest of the entire human race, and their quickness to rewards good doings by evil deeds. Being African is becoming a shameful stain that is hunting me wherever I go.
Cert from the dawning of the creation there has been good and evil in the heart of human being, many have chosen good over evil but Africans seemed to have chosen Cain’s side and have be come so subtle in killing lives. It is true that every human has their part of evil, but an analysis of every group of people will show that Africans have failed to score high as it pertains to the respect of each other’s life.
During slavery, slave masters had one thing in common, the betterment of their communities at the expenses of the slaves’ labor, and during colonization the colonizers had one mind set, to strip the colonies of every riches and sent them toward their countries; In both cases, their actions were for their communities even when they were evil actions; in contrast, there are few Africans who have worked for the common goods of any community. The first question I have in mind when an African offers to help, I would want to know what is in the back of is mind, what is he or she seeking after.
I truly believed that I would never missed to be called an African for the rest of my life; every time I have been called African has offended me.
Every time I have been called African this is how its sounds to me:
- Uncivilized savage
- His brother’s killer
- Self indulgent
- Egocentric
- Phony
- Pathetic
- Bloodthirsty
- Coward
Africa has 56 countries, I rather been known by where I’m specifically from than to be put in the basket of all of these countries that I don’t share anything in common with beside the continent. I don’t want to be defending the practice of burning people alive with a tire put on their neck, I don’t want to explain the genocide that have taken hundreds of thousand of lives, I don’t want to have to explain the death of five millions people in the east side of the Democratic republic of the Congo killed by the neighboring countries and local militia men. I don’t want to explain different wars and acts of cannibalism in the freed slave’s state of Liberia; I don’t want to explain religious fanatics and extremist, I don’t want to explain the mutilation of female genitals in some countries, and the many killings for natural resources. How does one explain the xenophobia in South Africa after apartheid? Especially when many of those who where leading the South African’s revolutionary movement fled toward their neighboring countries for security, protection, and reorganization.
In the 56 countries that the continent has, it’s hard if not impossible to count 6 countries that practice the respect of human life, have a functioning democracy, that have not a publically display discrimination policies.

It disgusting to see how the continent is filled with university and intellectuals but most of them is just a bunch of intelligent killers, and specialist in professional corruptions. I really don’t think African problem is the color of the majority of African, but the quality of their mind and the disposition of their hearts.
I don’t want to be called African; it’s a great favor that one can do to me. I don’t want to be called African; it’s one stress you can take out of my shoulders. I don’t want to be called African; it’s worse than discrimination to me.
I don’t want to be called African; I have a country and don’t believe that I can stand for the behaviors and actions of others that don’t share my national values and beliefs.
I don’t want to be called African; it’s an insult to everything I am and stand for.

The author, Ms. Robyn Curnow has expressed surprise that, quote:-

"..I. have spent a lot of time filming in the East Rand of Johannesburg, in the shanty towns and settlements and it astounds me everytime I hear and see the ugliness of xenophobia...(i.e.)... a raw and vehement hatred of the 'other.'"

I must express my own surprise at her surprise. From WHOM did Black South Africans learn their virulent, soul-deep "hatred of the other?" With WHOM did Black South Africans find themselves forced to live in minutely and daily symbolic representation of this same "hatred of the other?"

From WHEN did people, who were themselves made the "hated Other" by other people, not consequentially LIVE (viciously!) the hatred that they Learnt (viciously!)?

no one outside the borders of this country can comment about what is happening here. you simply do not understand the complexity of this country.
on the one hand the attacks can be understood because the people of this country have not been looked after by the current government.
instead foreigners have been graciously allowed without any influx controls
on the othere hand, violence like this is unacceptable and the same government will now have to be cruel to their own people
mbeki is to blame for his quiet diplomacy and the fact that he is forever outside the borders of this country.
the voilence can spill over to every part of this country and threaten everyone, including the wealthy anc elite members holding top jobs due to black empowerment programs.
the unhappy angry 'mobs' should protest in the next election

There is one MAJOR explanation (but certainly not an excuse!!!) for the xenophobia – corruption. When state money that is supposed to help the poor greases the palms or lines the pockets, hope fades. Thanks ANC for enriching yourself while the rest of us suffer.

I have watched as some ANC leaders have tried to talk to those involved in the attacks. They laugh – the leader has no moral high ground. Why should we listen to you? You too are a criminal the growd jeers.

Welcome to Africa.

Hijacking, rape, torture, murder: we live with that every day. We perservere, we love this country. The unemployement rises, infrastructure fails, mines are being abandoned, water is polluted, electricity grid is falling, some fat cats are getting billions on their private accounts while poor miners are killed because the mining equipment hasn't been mantained, skilled people are emmigrating, farmers are not producing food threatened by land-redistribution Zim-style. No jobs, no food, crime. Now, we have necklacing, riots, army deployement.
Me and my children are born here and know of no other country. Yet, we will never be accepted as Africans because we are not the right shade of skin. Today, in globalized world, South Africa is not progressing. Where the vision of Nelson Mandela got lost?

You should come and try to live here only for a day and you will see that it s tougher than you think.
people fighting for a piece of bread
send some help send anythinhg
god bless

it unfortunate that south africans are very ungrateful.to bite the finger that feed is the greatest inhuman act one can think of.

South Africa is called the USA of Africa b/cos we have it all,but what has happen the last days is crazy. i am an South Africa Student in US planing to go home in two days Happily Married to a none South African ,Africa Men and he has just told me he is not coming with me to see my Family, what a shame and i have told every body how beautiful Pretoria is and to my surprise the killing stared in my home town, i am speechless, please please people let as stop the killing. it is just putting our Motherland in shame.i don't know how the situation is as today but i hope and trust.it has come down.God bless Africa

Better the devil that you know than the devil you don’t is a nice way of referring to SA's past and present situation. Its only a pity that the world don’t know the whole truth about SA’s past, people talk about the previous white government wrong doings to black people but it pales in comparison to the current ANC governments wrong doing to all of us in SA. Many black people long for the “good old days” talk to them in the streets and some will tell you. People are poor in SA because they are lazy and want to be given everything for free, the ANC played a huge rule in creating this monster by getting kids to burn their schools during the apartheid era leaving them uneducated while ANC’s leaders kids are over sea’s studying to rule later (You see in the land of the blind the one eyed man is King ), urging people to make babies for the struggle to help win a vote by the masses, making impossible to keep promises too these masses they created and making people live for the struggle and not for their own development as individuals but as a group that relies on doing as being told by their leaders. The ANC don’t really care about poor black people in SA only Black Empowerment deals for the elite. Remember the HIV/Aids issue some time ago, well look at it this way, not dealing with the self-inflicted epidemic gets rid of a large portion of the people waiting for all these great promises to be fulfilled. Then why are these other Africans here in SA, because in there own countries life is treble, why do Africans leave “the great mother Africa” because it’s a killer not a mother. Don’t come to SA its not safe, anybody that appears to have some money is a target, things are so out of control here but its not reported by our media due to the ANC’s political pressure and its an everyday occurrence, so it becomes less news worthy locally. Like most other African countries SA is starting its downward spiral into the bottomless pit Africa is, as my one economics text books described it while I was at school. Soon the ANC would have to start similar projects like Robert Mugabe in order to please the masses, to secure power for the short term and continue building their own personal wealth. Forget about hope there is no hope in Africa it’s doomed your fighting a losing battle with it and don’t allow Africans to come to your countries they’ll start destroying your country too. Leave them to suffer, their suffering will eventually force them to change their ways and become civilized, it’s the harsh truth and the same way western societies change a long time ago, remember 100 years ago most people in African were living in the bush you can not expect such change without problems. The World is hell with tempohry moments were the fire is out or not set to high if you’re in that spot enjoy the moment while it lasts and prepare for the worst.

There should be a worldwide law that punishes anti-immigrants with death penalty.

Anybody who is anti-immigrant is evil.

I wonder what will happen in 2010 during the world cup. Will they kill everybody?

l'm zimbabwean, and l'm proud to be zimbabwean, the problems of today will not be there tomorrow. We helped our South African brothers during the apartheid era, and you thank us by burning our people.

The current explosion of violence must be attributed to the South African government lethary. If action had been taken against the Government of Zimbabwe over the years since the illegal farm invasions started in Zimbabwe, there may have been a swifter change to a democratic regime in Zimbabwe. The current government of that country has done such a bad job that decades of assistance will be required to normalise the state of affairs for the average citizen. A good start would be to have Mugabe stand before the Hague and answer for the 20,000 innocent soles that were murdered in the 1980s and countless others since then.
What is the international community doing to help relieve this situation? Stability in this region would contribute greatly to international harmony and also signal that the free world will not accept such gross abuse of human rights anywhere!

Maybe behavior, not skin colour,caused apartheid.

When crime is in the hands of foreigners and they take what we need. The government tries to play big man on the World stage and strut its stuff while the people who put it there are ignored and dispossessed. We have all fought our battles to be free he is your tyrant you put him there, go remove him and his neocolonialist croney exploiters save your own country and stop trying to take what is ours. We need a government that looks after us first we are south Africans we need to come first.

I would like to know if Ms. Curnow, her cameraman or any member of the CNN crew were prevented by the police from trying to help the dying man.
Did they try to call someone? a hospital perhaps. Did they challenge the behaviour of the police?

I think the problem is that the political parties in our country are too busy with their own agenda's ... particularly with spending a large portion of their time finding blame in their opposition and trying to undermine them which results in all their time and effort being spent squabbling instead of providing services to the people who are suffering in poverty.

As a result ... we've ended up with a situation where we now have very poor service delivery and the population are starting to get militant because they have been made promises and those promises have not been delivered.

With Zimbabwe in rack and ruin and Bob clutching onto power with his knuckles white with desperation, his people also victims of political strife come to South Africa looking for a safe haven ... and what do they get? Fallout from our own political shortsightedness. They are now persecuted for being foreigners and are beaten, chased and hunted down like animals ... I think Morgan Tshangarai summed it up well the other day ... we are all brothers and sisters in Africa ... the colour of your skin and the country you come from is irrelevant. We pretty much all face the same problems in Africa ... some worse than others but we all should have a common goal. Unite against poverty and corrupt, useless politicians who are hellbent on seeing their own agendas through ... and having their pockets lined.

It mind-boggles me to see how folks in SA have such short memory. I mean less than two decades ago, the very Zimbabweans and Mozambicans were at the forefront to host the MK and other "freedom fighters" from SA, unconditionally despite abject poverty of the majority in those countries.

Now, it seems all that is history. I hold serious reservations over the whole refugee issue in Africa, but I would never have imagined the brutality and senselessness in the violence that has taken place in SA. What's there to understand about this despicable hatred?? By the way, Where is Mandela on this? He's been awfully mum, what gives?

When are we going to stop the blame game?
Can we really have an opinion, if we do not know what we are talkiing about or atleast have experienced?

I blame everything on the corrupt and inefficient governments of Africa. If only they will manage our resources well and take care of the people who voted them to power. As it is their gross incompetence to govern, lack of common sense and compassion have driven a lot of their citizens out of the countries of their birth and exposed them to all manner of danger/risk, including what we are witnessing. It is a shame and God will HOLD our leaders responsible for the blood shed. No more, no less.

Unfortunately, time might show that racists have been right all along (even though their methods often not): Let to rule themselves, Africans will gradually ruin their countries. We are now witnessing the start of Zimbabwesation of South Africa. Any honest working-class black man and woman in South Africa will tell you that life under the white supremacist government was better.

And no prizes for guessing which dictator would be now hailed as a greater "liberator" by an average Zimbabwean – Ian Smith or Mugabe.

Aftrica would only make a real progress if all government was contracted out to Europeans. But of course, how offensively racist thing this is to say...

LIFE IS SACRED, S.A PEOPLE SHOULD REALISE THAT THE BLOOD THEY ARE SHEDDING WILL STAIN THEIR HAND AND LAND FOREVER AND IT MAY FOLLOW UP TO THEIR GENERATIONS. DO THEY REALLY READ THE BIBLE? DO THEY BELIEVE IN GOD? DO THEY EVER THINK OF THE LAST DAY? U WOULD RATHER LIVE AS IF THERE IS GOD TO DIE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE IS NON THAN LIVE AS IF THERE IS NO GOD TO DIE AND FIND OUT THAT THERE IS ONE!

IT IS INDEED SAD. WE EXPERIENCE IT IN KENYA DURING THE POST ELECTION VIOLENCE AND I NEVER WISHED IT TO EVER HAPPEN ANYWHERE ELSE! WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER, WHETHER RICH OR POOR, BLACK OR WHITE, IT REALLY DOES'NT MATTER, WHAT MATTERS IS THAT WE ARE ONE IN CHRST AND GOD HAD A REASON FOR CREATING DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES HE IS NEVER MOCKED. OUR STRENGTH IS INCOMPLETE IF THIS WORLD IS NOT UNITED, EVERY COUNTRY NEED EACH OTHER. MAY GOD WHISPER IN THEIR EARS AND MAY HE COMFORT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. HE LOVES AS ALL AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US ALONE.

It seems to me the South Africa hate attack has the subtle support of the governments and law enforcement agents. It is a shame and disgrace to African brotherhood. If not how can policemen watch an inhured man slowly die without lifting a finger and nobody has called them to order. There are South Africans and South African businesses elsewhere in Africa. Thabo Mbeki should do something decisive.

violence against fellow humans is unacceptable and primitive. i urge southafricans to listen to the voice of reason. and desist from attacking fellow humans.

fmk
nairobi

Why is it not clear to everyone! We can perceieve when the weather is changing and a storm will come, but the signs of the times we fail to see.

Let the world open there eyes, look whats happening in China, Burma, America, all these natural calamaties that are only the hand of GOD.

You wont understand why the South Africans are doing what they are doing, only when you perceive in the spirit.

let the world stand up in prayer, a great wind is rising.

@"Not a White Person" you are very ignorant. There is no reason for the world to be the way it is, how many times have you been hijacked or your house broken into?

Anyway I've been in SA all my life. You think this is all that is happening in SA. There is a 1 in 4000 chance of getting raped/murdered/mugged or hijacked every day based on the stats released from the Police which were obviously dumbed down.

Almost every day there is news of entire families murdered and raped in their homes.

Isn't this country just great!

Jo'Burg

My heart was so heavy when i read the article.
I am a Nigerian, and I remember the ugly days of aparthied we all felt it here in Nigeria and as a kid then i never felt better till today.
What is happening now reminds me of the dark days of aparthied. Africa should go pass this stage of thinking, the innocent people South Africans are killing are not the problem, we all face similar problems here in Nigeria and most parts of Africa, No electicity, bad roads, high rate of unemployment, housing problems lake of portable water etc.
Please, South Africans blood shed is not the solution! it will only take us back to the dark ages, dont forget so soon when it was aparthied we all felt it we were all one in the fight against it.

I live in the Western Cape. I was awakened by a very early telephone call this morning. My friends in the settlement one mile from me, were being attacked. I drove there, but could not get close, and would probably have lost my life if I had. At the moment I have no contact with them, and no idea what is happening.
Our most beloved author Alan Paton wrote a beautiful book, which changed my life 40 years ago. "Cry the beloved Country". Yes we are crying, I am, while our beautiful South Africa is burning. Slaughtered by marauding mobs of primitive beings, too lazy to work, no it is and has always been much easier to slaughter, kill, maime, murder, rape and torture the innocent, old, babies and children.
Please do not come to the 2010 Soccer World Cup...they mobs are waiting for you. It should be given to another country. Our stability is so shaky and we are all at the end of our tethers. Our economy is falling apart.
Hope is a scarce. God Save My Beloved Country.
Alicia.

South Africa has at a physcoligical war for a very long time. I am a woman living in JHB and find it difficult to deal with the emotional turmoil. As a woman you live in fear constantly. Fear as your husband has to work and work takes him away from home. My house is a prison electric fences, burglar guards, 2 German sheperds that live in my bedroom an alarm system bedroom door locked all the time with a firearm next to me in case of robbery. On top of that no work so one has to lose independance as well. Food prices soaring. Over and above this I live accross from Alexandra and to hear helicopters and police sirens all day and night has an effect on ones peace of mind. There is no way to live, though I stay in hope of a beautiful future that so many of us South Africans believe in, hope slowly fades as the heart becomes more sad, I hear a helicopter as I write. Is another human being been hurt, is it a mother, a father or an innocent child. Companies get richer and pople get poorer. This is not really about xenophobia, but about people losing hope and releasing anger at the wrong target. Where are the leaders, running bussinesses taking advantage of the undecated population that do not know their rights. We have the best constitution actually champagne but cool aid delivery. Pray for Our Nation and continent. Living in Hope of Peace and Human Rights!

I was considering a vacation to SA,but the possibility of getting burned alive because i'm a foreigner has made me reject it.

its really disgusting the way south africana are behaving
it was these african countries that fought fot them in the era of apertied
now these are how to repay them?

i just wonder when we black people will stop and think for once in our generation how to move forward in life

with all this violence happening i wonder whether south africans are competent in hosting the world cup soccer match.if they cannot tolerate their fellow neighbours how do they expect to reap the benefits of tourism during the 2010 world cup. such a hype was placed around getting more tourist to venture into the townships to explore the south african lifestyle...what lifestyle is that? one of death....
srape the world cup from s.a !!!!!

I hate to see what is happening in our country but what make me even more angry is the government's response. They don't want to admit that they are responsible for this. The level of immigration in SA is surely undesirable and If we say this immigration did not impact adversely on the poor South Africans we are lying and we will fail to end this hatred. But I also think Mbeki want to destroy this country before he leave the office so that Zuma's administration can fail. Amnesty to foreigners as suggested by Asmal will make things worse. It amazed me being black to hear that DA better understand this situation than ANC which is black party. ANC don't understand its own people. I think ANC should consult DA for ideas in order to resolve this. I feel the police should be alert about North West province because many farms' worforce have about 90% foreign workers because the farmers don't want South Africans. We don't want to see more immigrants killed.

it is indeed a pity what is happening in south africa.What is supprising is that South africa of all african countries should be able to understand the spirirt of Pan africanism since , most african countries stood by them during apartheid.
plese reconsider what you are doing and let us all learn to live as brothers

The leadership of SA is directly to blame. They were voted into power and they abused the power for 14 years. Now, the chickens have come to roost. Our poor leadership wants corruption to rule. Just like any other African state corruption rules because people want to get rich quickly.
I grew up from extremely humble backgrounds in SA. Made every chance worth my while but certainly not at the expense of others.
There are too many new SA private sector leaders who are exploiting the rules of the country. In AA or BEE these people are just simply filling their pockets at the expense of the poor masses. Nothing has changed in SA. Just the colour of skin in control of the country.
Previously it was the white government now it's the black. It's a shame as this is really a very beautiful country. I will leave as soon as I get a chance (sentiment of many). You absolutely cannot grow children in fear of your lives. The government and greedy leaders of this country are doing a dis-service to the people that put them in power. They have failed in 3 pillars of a society, SAFETY, EDUCATION and HEALTH. If these are addressed people will be equipped to work and keep focussed.
As for any attack on any person is definately not welcome in my book.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind (Mahatma Ghandi)

When white people are tortured and murdered in South Africa (every day) it never makes the international news.

50 people are murdered in SA every day. SA has the highest rape statistics any where in the world, the highest white-collar crime, the most violent schools, the highest HIV rates, the most corrupt government departements ..... and the list goes on...and on

SA is a disaster and a time-bomb waiting to happen. Soon SA and Zimbabwe will be on the same road to total doom.

Not all South Africans , black or white , are xenophobic. Please also report on communities helping these foreigners. About people going out of their way to help with food, medication, ect. Also report on the crime commited, they are not only against whites, blacks suffer just as much. All of this I think is to blame on lack of leadership

What's happening in SA is very disturbing to say the least.Whilst the grievances are genuine the way the people have sought to remedy the situation has only worsened the problem.The valuable skills that these immigrants were imparting to help build the economy and hence a better SA will be taken elsewhere.SA will be poorer after this.All peole harbouring thoughts of going to SA in 2010 be warned,SA is a hard hat area.

It is really disturbing to read the news,coz south africans was once faced this kind of atrocities from the white people,but now they are commiting the same kind of atrocities against migrants,but what makes more shamefull is that police being a mute spectator

Its very easy to critisize while living in a wealthy 1st world country.

This is not about South Africans forgetting about the past or being nasty to their neighbours. And please, stop with the black-white comments, its got nothing to do with race! Its much, much more basic than that. Poverty.

This is about a jobless man who has to watch his children go hungry. He has tried all he can, but he can't provide for his family. He doesn't hate foreigners, but he knows that there are only so many jobs to go around and he sees some of those jobs going to illegal immigrants. The goverment is not doing anything about the influx of illegal immigrants. He becomes desperate. He is one of millions feeling that way.

It doesn't make it right, but its the way it is. Survival of the fittest. It happens daily, its not something new, even though it might seem like that to the rest of the world.

South Africans are trying very hard to survive under a incompetent government. Please pray for us.

For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be a South African.

For the first time in my life I want out..........................I'm immigrating.

I hope as an immigrant I am treated better than those that immigranted to my country also wanting to start a new life.

I dont like pointing fingers, because these horrific acts should be on all South African's consciences.....................................

I bielieve we are failing as a nation...............................Rybon, I wish I could have been there to hold that mans hand.

I am South African(black young women)..it is a shame that it is happenning..please do not make this issue about young white women being raped..there are lot of blakc women who also get raped by black men..As for the attacks i am ashamed but this is not by south africans, but by mobs who think that they can blame their miserable lives on foreigners.

`This is only happening in the shantytowns and those people are miserable a they are extremely poor..so since they cant kill the govt people they kill the defenseless immigrants!!!!!

I hate to think that we have people here who are saying things like "AMERICAN PEOPLE OF COLOUR" are different then african black people, WHAT a comment really.

I hope this ends soon `for my sake and the immigrants sake.... Remeber violence has always been in the shantytowns in south africa it never died down!!!!

How dare any white person now living elsewhere in the world say that Black South Africans were better off during apartheid? YOU were better off, not them, so enough of that nonsense already!

I am a legal immigrant in SA and would like to say that I am constantly amazed at how a few people (sometimes just one person!) can ruin the world's perception of an entire country. I find the bulk of South Africans – both black and white – to be warm and receptive as is our African culture. Xenophobia is not a bad thing – it's a normal reaction when your country is flooded with foreigners (UK, for example!). The problem comes with the violence, which is instigated by a minority, albeit an influential one!

South Africans need to come to a place where they don't look at short-term solutions to bugger problems such as poverty and unemployment. The government should be looking into this and these are the people we need to put to task. Those jobs taken by foreigners living in townships are ones that South Africans feel to be "beneath" them. So they sit in their shacks doing nothing till they see that immigrant buy furniture, get a house, etc, all because they make an honest living! This, dear Africa, needs to stop. Africa is for Africans and we need to work TOGETHER to make our continent as glorious as it is rightfully destined to be.

What is happening now is exactly what the bitter white South Africans (those who miss apartheid – again, a minority) want. We need to rise above this and show the world that, unlike barbaric America, we don't believe in taking up arms each time we have an issue – where is the spirit of "ubuntu"? Stop fuelling the Americans and Europeans with negative publicity – we're worth so much more than that. Africa is the most awe-inspiring continent on earth and I don't wish to be anywhere else!

As for whoever said "thank God for the US", you need to check yourself. If there is one country that's completely messed up today, it's that one. Sadly, you're all so caught up in being in the "land of the free" to realise how fascist that place is gradually becoming... I'm proudly African and will work with all who are willing to restore Africa to it predestined glory.

A few random thoughts...

Where are the bleeding heart liberals that fought so hard to end apartheid? Where are your howls of protest at what is happening now?

South Africans have been dying at a rate of 50 plus a day since the end of apartheid- and it has been 14 years, so you work it out for yourself.

The ANC advocated "freedom before education" – why is anyone surprised at what is happening? For heaven's sake- this is a generation that has just selected a morally bankrupt and deeply flawed human being to be the next leader of the nation.

I am afraid but this is just the beginning

oh south africans,why should you forget so soon. is that how you are paying the rest of africans? for all the support you guys had from us?
bad governace is a problem for the whole of africa but its not a justification for this inhuman acts. south africans should pray to be in the light forever and the darkness should never befall them,cos if it does, the rest of africa would care less.

Very well put 'Phenomenal Woman'
Yes, the White South Africans (along with other racist White people around the world) are rejoicing now. This exactly what they 'taught' our forefathers: the darker you are, the less intelligent etc you are. The majority of black South Africans are disgusted and disappointed at what is happening. The media is not allowing US to be heard, they give more airtime to these small minded barbarians,making it look as if the whole nation is full of hatred.! Hating other Africans would mean we hated ourselves as well!!! I am friends with Zimbabweans, Nigerians and yes Afrikaners and never once did I question their rights to being in the country. South Africa has plenty of legal black African immigrants and they have contribute immensely to our economy and society in general.
This is what White people have been waiting for all along: the 'proof' that we cannot live together in harmony. Whites were so happy during apartheid they did very little to support us. Even now they're doing little to support iour new democracy. This is nothing new...

As a South African myself I find these attacks appalling but not entirely surprising. These attacks are being committed by a small group who are too lazy to work and expect to receive everything for nothing, and now they've found a scapegoat. These are the same crazed lunatics who plague our country with violent crime- they're all crawling out of the woodwork to take advantage of this wildfire for their own gain. Under the cover of this event they are attacking anyone, even fellow South Africans to take their possessions. Xenophobia is largely an excuse for these guys to have a good time, satisfying their lust for blood which has never been diffused since the age of tribal warfare.

shakir beyah:

"why is this happenig all over again. Is the mother land that bad. Is the people upset about something.what is it .I can not take this. Is really bad and its spreading to the united states fast……"

Dude, what motherland are you talking about? did you ever live here?

Now you see how it works here, it's their own inadiquecy that they're angry about, And how do you mean you can't take this, you don't have to, all the "freedom fighters" from overseas, bleh! It's time you take another look.

School standards have gone down, fuel, rent, water, electricity just to mention a few all skyrocketed, roads aren't maintained properly anymore, neither is sanitation, Doctors are leaving the country because there's nothing here for them, so hospitals are useless (state hospitals)

Municipalities dont do their work properly anymore, goverment has been found and proven corrupt over and over again, with nothing being done about it

The one bit of light we had was a crack police team called the scorpions, but because they actually caught, arrested and prosecuted the corrupt officials, they are being disbanned now.

Our adsl is the worlds most expensice, and our ONLY electricity supplier can't keep up with energy demands, so black outs is a everyday occurance, with things only looking worse for the future, because its falling behind.

So...who can't take it anymore?

Granted, things were done wrong in the past, but it's known by everybody in South Africa, aparteid still lives, mostly in reverse now, even other minority groups suffer now.

My message to people overseas: Get real, and come see how the country has gone from managing itself, to managing to distroy itself.

It is you, who are ignorant. There is the Law of cause and effect and you surely will learn that it exists... It's worth to remain a human being even if surrounded by biped beasts.

Thembela it seems that you are the racist as you generalize along racial lines. NOT ALL SOUTH AFRICAN WHITE PEOPLE ARE RACIST!! and that has never been the case. every white South African I know (including myself) are disgusted by this... and we all do a great deal to support our new democracy, we just receive nothing but abuse in return. We weren't all oppressors during apartheid so you cannot blame all whites- I wasn't even born!

I am a South African residing near the East Rand, and working in the Germiston area. On Wednesday evening, my mother and I went to drop of food and blankets at the Primrose Methodist Church, which is working in association with other organisations, to arrange some sort of rescue relief.
I agree with the writer that these attacks are shocking and disgraceful, especially since most of these refugees are from countries that supported the black movements and gave them refuge during the Apartheid era.
I was 12 years old when Apartheid ended, so these images are all the more unbelievable to me. Most people my age do not realise that not only do these things happen, but they happen not 5km from where we live.
I am writing to inform the writer that not everyone is apathetic to these refugees' plight. Many people, like myself, are donating their time and resources to this cause. People need to understand that the police department in SA is underfunded and undermanned. What may seem like inefficieny is really the police doing all that they can.
People say they understand the reason for these attacks, but that does not mean that they accept them.
The areas where is attacks are happening are over-populated, with very few basic supplies (like water and power), if any. The housing is most tin and wooden shacks. People living there have nowhere else to go.
Some of my co-workers have family there. They have described the situation vividly. One described a man having his head cut off in front of him, and the complete inability to do anything.
Yes, we can critisize from our safe distance, but the truth is people fear re-tribution. They fear being the next victim, which they will be, if they turn against the people doing these things. They fear the police, in case they are at the wrong place in the long time.
The people perpetrating these attacks often have the "if you're not with us, you're against us" attitude. People who might know them are probably to scared to say so.
To conclude:
Most of the people being attacked are here as refugees. Most of them fear returning to their countries, as much as they fear staying here.
Not everyone agrees with the perpetrators of these attacks. They agree with the fustrations of low employment and rising costs. In fact, I think you will find that people disagree with them.
Not everyone doesn't care. A lot of people (ironically mostly white) are doing what they can, however little it may be.
Don't write off the police and military. They have limited resources, and are in the position where someone is always waiting to critisize them Let them do their job.
Thabo Mbeki, open your eyes. Zimbabwe is in crisis. Allow people refugee status, and get some backbone to stand up to the despot on your doorstep.

As a black South African, it is indeed sad that the anger amongst our nation's poor has degenerated to this level. I cannot in good conscience condone the killing of our fellow Africans.

What we are witnessing now is the failure of our government to protect our borders and to effectively manage the influx of legal and illegal refugees/immigrants. Refugees have been allowed to settle in the poor sections of our country, thereby putting them in direct competition with the country's poor. They now have to compete for low-paying jobs, state houses, state grants and free medical services to the poor. It is also true that in some of the violent crimes (hijackings, ATM bombings and heists) that our country has experienced over the last few years, some of them have been carried out by foreign nationals, mainly Zimbabweans and Mozambicans (Nigerians are more associated with the drug problem, and nationals of other African countries are not generally associated with most crimes). I'm in no way suggesting that foreigners are solely responsible for our country's high crime rates but they are certainly contributing to it. It becomes impossible for the police to find the perpetrators because there are no fingerprints on file.

As a result of the influx, our government's resources are stretched, and hence the slow delivery and anger amongst the poor (especially as housing is concerned). There have been suggestions that refugees be removed from the townships and that refugee camps be set up (like other countries do) so that the government can accelarate service delivery to South African citizens first. This has been rejected because most of us believe that other Africans deserve a better life, especially given their contributions to our struggle. We do believe and hope that this senseless killings will stop before any more lives are lost.

We will always appreciate the contributions made by our African brothers and sisters to our struggle against apartheid.

To the moron who said that if the 8 or so million white people were to leave, then South Africa will be like the rest of Africa: we did not invite any white people to Africa, and anyone who wants to leave is free to leave. Why would you expect us to be unlike the rest of Africa if we are in Africa?

A Phenomanal woman you are not. The "Spirit of Ubuntu" according to our dear Peace Laureate, Desmond Tutu, whom you surely admire....is dead and gone.
Most of "The Seven Deadly Sins" are hard at work and very much alive here.
You say you are a "Legal" Immigrant. Do you have any idea how many Legal Immigrants, have been killed by ANC Members. IT IS HAPPENING NOW AS I WRITE. Get your head out of the sand, be careful, very careful, you might just be next. All these mobs want is what you and I have worked for all our lives. I work 7/7 and am 61 years old. 10 16 years ago we lost everything we had through the "Masterbond Scam", but with shear will, hard work, hardly any sleep we have at least a roof over our heads and food to eat.

Black South Africans are just plain lazy... always have been.

I am a young South African lady and the comments on this article have both chilled my spine and warmed my heart at the same time.

What Phenominal Woman says is true: Majority of South Africans do not support these acts of violence against our fellow Africans. It should also be noted that this is happening in areas of very severe poverty (squatter camps, townships etc)

I still believe in South Africa (as do most South Africans – black and white) and once again we will rise above all this.

What is worth noting though is the fact that illegal immigrants come into the country, are exploited by unscrupulous employers who refuse to pay minimum wage (by hiring South Africans) and know that because of their illegal status their employees have no legal recourse. This is what these people are referring to when they say "these people" are stealing their jobs.

To remind all the bitter ex Sout Africans who talk of our country with such disdain and relief of having left remember this: Home is Home and perhaps your bitterness is a result of not being where the heart yearns to be.

To the rest of the world pray with us majority if South Africans who are shocked by the xenophic violence and dont endorse it.....

I want South Africans to realise that other African Countries harboured their brothers and sisters during the apartheid era...the likes of Mirian Makeba etc, found love in far away Nigeria and other African Countries when it was obvious that their life was at stake in their Homeland of SA.
I want to believe that those African countries that accommodated black SAs during apartheid did not do it because it was convenient for them but in the spirit of brotherhood...why should SAs now turn against their own black brothers who have come to sojourn in their land...what stops the government of the day form repartriating those foreigners to their home land if they (The government) haven't got enough resources to cater for th teeming foreigners rather than have them killed by some heartless animals in connivance with the SA police...I had great respect for SA but events of the last few days have changed all that.

The xenophobic attacks are horrific but what is more terrifying is the deafening silence of the leaders of SA. Mbeki is a lame-duck President who is quite happy to see not only his people suffer but also neighbouring Zimbabweans suffer. Why else does he support Mugabe? SA should forget the World Cup in 2010 and concentrate on improving the life of the miserable people in the country. Plus they need a very strong, determined and honest police force to stamp out the out-of-control thuggery and lawlessness. What is Nelson Mandela doing? Why doesn't he speak out against these attacks? Why doesn't he speak out against Mugabe? NM is such a statesman that his voice would count and people would listen.

South Africans should remember that we helped them in time of apartheid, we gave them many things, and i do not understand why so much hatred .Now they are kill our brother, may God be with those who lost their relatives,. Will this become a war in Southern Africa?
LET's Help each other in order to suavive....
God bless us....
From Moz-Maputo city

I am greatly pained by the situation in SouthAfrica. What have we Zimbabweans done to deserve this. We thought were seeking refuge from the madness in our country. We had hope of survival by having our brothers and sisters work there inorder to feed us. Where do we run to. To those South Africans involved remember we also never dreamt our country would be in such a crisis, so be warned tomorrow it could be you. All we wanted was to feed our families.

It’s easy to judge situations you are not in. It easy to write commends that you are not experiencing. I am South African and have worked overseas. There is no other country as beautiful as South Africa. Have you not experienced crime, hate, xenophobia, death in your county at some time in history? If you want to stay away because of this then I say STAY. Life is very short and unpredictable. You need to make of it what you can.

The reaction of South Africans towards foreigners is really shocking!! It makes one wonder what will happen at the 2010 World Cup when many foreigners will be in their country.Its sad that they are so ignorant to the extent of burning their neighbours.Zimbabweans are going through a tough season and its sad that even their neighbours will turn them away.What will it take for the international community to intervene?

It's so back to see a fellow africans killing each other.Looking at the situation in South Africa you will realise that those who engage thereself in this xephonobia are the illiterate ones that capitalised on foreigners taking there jobs,is it the uneducated fellow you want to employ?No !!!!!!!!!!!!,You can not be educated and an employer will now choose to employ foreigner why will He/She do that afterall He/She has nothing to benefit other than any person employ increase the company productivity. So I will employ the touts that are doing this to be mature,instead of fighting let them go to school, be educated and see if they wont get a job.

Nothing has dissapointed me as much as the killings of other Africans by South African. I am old enough to remember the frontline states, I remeber how they supported Black South Africans when the rest of the World did not want to Know.

I remeber how Nigeria had a diplomatic face off with Britain when they Nationalised BP because of aparthied. The rest of Africa provided refuge for Black South Africans. I can go on and on.

I will not want to dignify soem racist views here, but we know that the ignorance and squalor we see 2day in SA is as a result of the policies of Aparthied. Having said that, thi sis no justification for the genocide taking place in SA today. Yes I call it genocide.

This event will force our brothers and sisters from ZIM to go back hoem and face the monster called Mugabe. Zim will rise again and I have no doubt that SA is on a downward spiral. When the voices of reason like Mandela and Tutu pass on, only the corrupt hawks will remain. The Black immigrants will remain and then what will the South Africans do?

I suspect they will turn to white owned farms and it will be ZIM on a very bloody scale. The rest of Africa will not even spit on SA if it is on fire because we will not forget what you have done to us.

The govt should try to control the borders, please let us control our borders we have a crime problem here and those who are doing this kind of crime are so extreme they kill you for a cellphone or zar 100.
I'm condeming the senseless killing with a strongest term.

Let us build the refugee camps for those who come for political asylum in the country and where is the grant from UN for those people the govt is getting something from the UN. Please let us control our borders.

When I was in primary and high schools,we had a slogan on our boards that read thus,"Apartheid is a crime against humanity".The slogan, then, was meant to draw the attention and sympathy of everyone to the plight of black South Africans during the apartheid era.

How then do we explain the current happenings?Black-on-black apartheid or what?What a hell is going on over there?Images of murder,rape and lawlessness of the highest order going unchecked!Why on earth did the government wait till this situation snowballed before acting?

As Africans,it is high time we respected the sanctity of life.There is no justification whatsoever for the current xenophobic attitude in SA. Am very sure not everyone there supports this just like in other places where on vice or the other is common.

My appeal is for goverments in Africa to act responsibly and decisively to the needs of their people,so that situations like this do not resurface.

Peolple get a grip on the reality of the situation, they are not targeting tourist, or even all foreigners, the are targeting mostly illegal foreigners from neighbouring coutries. What they are doing is very wrong but the perception that all foreigners are attacked is not correct.
The violence is also only in the townships. Get the facts right. Help us solve the reasons behind these attacks. Poverty, bad governance, corruption

The killing in South Africa is not a new saga. It started in sixties by the current heros of the country. The South Africa is protecting Zimbabewean Fascist ruler, Robert Mugabe, and they are now killing the innocent Zimbabweans who fled their motherland because South Africa encouraged their ruler to torture them. How the conscientious people support the South Africans on the ground that a few mis guided people are committing the atrocities? Where are the Peace Nobel Laurettes of South Africa? Why are they keeping the mouth tightly closed? Please give back something to the world who has given you so much. It's time to speak out.

I shed a tear seeing a man setting fire on a fellow man without even blinking an eye. It is more painful as it is a brother againts a brother. Even though there is a problem even their peace icon Nelson Mandela once told them "you cannot blame others for your problems!" They should face their goverment and tell their leaders to do some thing about it.

I petition FIFA to withdraw the 2010 World Cup from SA. WHY? Because it was being held in Africa for Africans and since the rest of Africans are not wanted there we better take it somewhere else, it seems we as Africans are accepted in Europe, America and other places more than our own brothers.

What would have happened if the US viewed Obama's father differently? the Democrats wouldn't have had such a charismatic front runner for the presidency.

Africans, let us sit down and think even if for a moment!

I am a young white South African woman. I was not around during apartheid but I know of the atrocities committed against our brothers and sisters. Though I was not a witness to them, I was deeply affected when I learnt about them in school. Now, as I look at the news on TV or read the news paper, I am truly horrified by what I'm seeing. The front page picture on Monday morning of a person burning to death took my breath away. The hatred in that action will stay with me for a long time. I felt physically sick for the rest of the day. The question is WHY???? I simply don't understand. Yes, there are huge economic problems here in SA, but this kind of sensless hatred??? Yes, job opportunities are a big problem, I understand that there might be resentment...but killing someone just because they're from another country? What bothers me deeply is the mind set these people have..."They deserve to die" It has become a mindset. This Why does anyone deserve to die?! There is something deeper here. Our police force may as well just not exist with the help they are. Administration in our government is a disaster. Any hope of people being arrested and tried for their crimes is non-existant. I'm not ashamed to be a South African, I'm just deeply saddened by the extent of hatred and resentment that people have towards others.

This is a loud and clear wake up call for Mbeki. Engage Zimbabwe, help Zimbabwe transition to prosperity and the flow of poor desperate people into South Africa will stop. Wasn't this supposed to happen a while back?

I am of asian descent, my family live in fear every day of black people. We know they will kill us if they have the chance. My only wish is that a strong leader will arise and help us take up arms to protect our families and communities. Will the world just watch as another Rwanda occurs?

For some good things about SA -

http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/
..
South Africans unite against xenophobia
Thursday, 22 May 2008

Reports of xenophobic violence and hatred have featured prominently in South Africa's – and the world's – daily press this week and rightly so. But what hasn't made the headlines is the overwhelming positive response to the violence from the South...

Join the dots, It is no coincidence that the attacks on foreigners is taking place at the same time as Zanu PF in Zimbabwe is stepping up their efforts to win/ steal the run off election against the MDC.
Mugabe is hell bent on destabilising the MDC supporters in Zimbabwe, so on top of the murder and mayhem that his thugs have already unleashed on MDC supporters , he now figures out , that in order to completely destroy the opposition he must render them completely helpness. We know that about 4 million Zimbos live in South Africa and they are in the majority MDC supporters, these Zimbabwens in SA are the lifeblood and support of those living back home in Zimbabwe. They have sent billions of rands home and also provided a strong power base of support to the MDC outside of Zimbabwe.

It figures then that Bob Mugabe has to neutralise the MDC support in South Africa , so he contacts his good mate and comrade in arms Thabo there is no crises Mbeki and says , "Thabo , please help me organise some death and destruction amongst the Zimbabweans in South Africa, this way I can cut off the support for the MDC back home in Zimbabwe and really put the screws to them , without the support from SA , the MDC in Zimbabwe will starve to death , just before the run off election , so I will win , and by the way Thabo , just so we can make sure that we dont get caught with our pants down , please would you get some rogue elements in your country to incite violence against all Foreigners so that it does not appear as if we targeting only Zimbabweans".

"And by the way Thabo , after I have rigged this election , I will come and assist you to steal the SA election and ensure that you are President for life , afterall Thabo that is what we need to do to look after each other ".

The above scenario is not far fetched , I believe that the SA police were told to stay out the way and let the panic begin , the cats out the bag now and has a life of its own.

Thabo Mbeki is a bigger thug and despot that Mugabe , he is a aids denialst , blind to crime and the suffering of his people , and those 2 idiot Pahad brothers are influencing him re Iran , Burma etc.

Time for these idiots to go , please bring Jacob Zuma in now.

All that has been written about the benevolent nature of africans is completely nonsense. The roits and xenophobic attacks are not unusual for Africans or people of african origin. Today they are making excuses that the poor south africans are doing such herronedous acts out of desperation, but time again and again Africans have proved that their hate mentality is match to no one. The tribalism and massacre in kenya, Uganda, rawanda Sudan, Somalia are testimony to the xenophobic, cruel nature of the Aricans even towards other black people. There is no racists intention here, these are facts and if african can digest it, it doesn't harm me in least. Truth is Truth even if it is bitter.

I cannot understand why and how people can develop such hate. It is really sad and unforgivable. How can a people treat fellow humans being like that? South Africans were welcome in Southern African countries like Zambia. Many of them sought refuge there during the apartheid era. The ANC offices were in these same countries. We were sometimes bombed for giving them refuge, but we never chased them. We instead decided to suffer with them and fought alongside them. How can they then hate others like that? There are many Zimbabweans in Zambia, and we have decided to assist them till they regain their dignity.

I am so very, very sad to hear about this cruelty that is being bestowed by Africans against Africans/black against blacks. I am so sad that I have become numb to the emotional pain I feel. We see the continent with the genocides, election violence and similarly, black on black crimes in Africa and the rest of the world, i.e US black community.

I used to cry my heart out during the 1970's and '80s when violence was perpetrated against blacks, particularly children, during the apartheid period. When as a college student in the early 1980s, I studied at the University of Zambia on a study group. I was energized to know that other young black people from Zambia and Zimbabwe were also crying about the injustice in S. Africa.

Back then, exiled S. African attended schools (University) in Zambia and Zimbabwe on full scholarships from these countries. We used to plot and dream that after graduation we would fight to get rid of the apartheid system in S. Africa. I thought that this united front would remain like this forever; something like a pan-African approach. The Mugabe Zimbabwe helped to shatter this dream , along with aids killing so many of the generation mentioned above, and let's not forget, S. African leadership post- apartheid abandoned the vision it had for its people after winning power.

It just seems so much like the heavens is playing a game of comedy!

While I find the attacks deplorable, it is incorrect to label these immigrants as "refugees" – they arent. They have immigrated to South Africa for economic opportunities because no jobs exist in their home countries. Immigration is an ironic move since unemployment is so high among the natives in SA. It is terrible that they are being persecuted but don't lump them in with TRUE refugees. They werent in fear for their lives, only unable to find jobs.

Hi Steve S : Glad to hear from you :-)

I'm an Ethiopian i kno what this guys(S African) do to our people there recently but i dont understand what's wrong with these people is that the so called job taken by others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i dont think so, the govt of SA. need to investigate the situation.......and bring peace for all.

"PEACE FOR ALL..........NO EXCEPTIONS"

GOD BLESS THE WHOLE WORLD....AMEN.

South Africa should be warned that its government is not upto the task. What do you expect of a government that tolerates such inhumanities in the neighbouring country of Zimbawe. The rulers are smug in that they have achieved comparable standards of living to the previous rulers and they do not care much about the poor. Any fool could have anticipated that the arrival of large number of refugees would excacerbate an already bad situation. Could they not have warned Mugabe of the consequences of his actions and its impact on South Africa. When Pakistani troops were oppressing Bangadeshis and they were fleeing to India. India did the right thing by sending its troops to chase the oppressors out of Bangladesh. South Africa pretends to be a major power in the area why could it not have taken similar action.

I write from Italy and since some months I'm studying South Africa and his cotnroversial History. This country is fascinating as people that live in.
My wife and me decided to come and visit next semptember but we are frightened to read about violence that flows in the street.
It's appears to be an issue in everyday life and maybe thigs are only gettig worst in the last days.
I'm sorry for what is happening and afraid to come and visit this beautiful country.
Good bless African People. Could they find peace in their hearts.

It is terrible and inhumane to kill someone like this. The ANC taught their supporters the way to deal with any competition. Winnie Mandela said bring the tyres and matchsticks.

Tax paying law abiding citizens, which are about 6% of the population, are murdered on a daily basis (50 per day) for a cell phone or wallet with R20 ($2.50) in it. The whole world does not care about this. Old people are targeted, they the criminals come in groups of 4 to 5 and break down doors and windows. They never are prosecuted. You have to lock yourself up to try and sleep safe. This is not a way to live while the government fat cats are building R90 million security walls around them.

There is no law and order here, this country is a mess and if we had the oppertunity we would leave and stop whinging.

Ny dear tunatofu, a little equation for you:

no job = no money = no food + shelter = DEATH

Get it? If the foreigners couldn't find jobs in their countries, they fled in fear of losing their lives. the sooner all South Africans (government, especially!) accept that these are refugees, the sooner we can loom at the situation from another angle and resolve the crisis. This is noy just about Africans – a lot of Pakistani businessman have also lost everything... Just as the violence can start through one person, change can also come about through individual effort. Thanks you to all those volunteering to help in whatever way they can – YOU ARE TRUE AFRICANS!!! I challenge more to do the same – individually or through your companies.

I am an African from a southern African country stidying in UK.
My msg to FIFA

Pls save us (Africans) from further embarassement and shame. SHIFT THE 2010 WORLD CUP TO ANOTHER COUNTRY. Just look at the leadership in SADC. They are all in support of Mugabe. Even if Mugabe goes; it does not make the southern African region any better. The WORLD CUP WAS SUPPOSED TO UNITE AFRICA and more especially Southern Africa. If these South Africans are insestive to foreigners are WORLD CUP participants any special? Obviously you would not want to run the tornament in a kind of state of ermegency.

There are two basic lines of thinking:
(i) the authorities do not want to accept that there's a problem. Simply put, they don't want to deal with it. there can't be radical changes to solve rampant crime in SA.

(ii) Some quarters are blaming white extremist elements to be behind the attacks. Whether that is true or not; the question is: who else would want to sabotage the tornament.

FIFA: you wanted to be rational in granting the continent to host the show case. As Africa we are SIMPLY NOT READY. Mind you Africa is becoming poorer and poorer so crime will increase. SAVE US FROM MORE EMBARASSEMENT!!!!!!!!

Some are claiming that the attacks are incited by

it is rather sickening that all you uninformed couch anylist can give opinions on a subject you dont really now about.to give an obituary about my country makes me sick.south africa is a lovely country with great people who condemm this situaton to the full.these acts are been comitted by thugs who blame their lazyness on hard working foreiners. we need to help these peeple and brings the giulty to book.and to all those white racist south africans living abroad.,....always having a negative coment on their country of birth should remember that they left this beloved country and thierfore have no right to oppinion....so enjoy lving your sad second citizen life in aus and nz....from a white and true south africa...

I agree with Anderson.. The people of this country has a great spirit and the majority work hard to make it even better. The developments in Johannesburg is extremely amazing. New buildings shoot up everywhere and jobs are created. yes our government is incompetent, but the people on the ground still do their best to make things work.. I am not seeing this war zone that you people wish to see. Yes there are poor areas with socio economic problems, but the country is still booming... I can actually just sit back and shake my head at the ignorant comments from racists that wants to wish bad upon the country.

I am sorry though for what had happened. This was a terrible week. But the culprits are being caught and things are returning to normal.

Stop being so dramatic people. Especially the ones that havent even been in this country. It is a very diverse country with great opportunities. I feel mostly safe and have lived here all my life. (I have been more scared in New York City than in the avarage Johannesburg suburb)...

I have deep abhorrence about what South Africans are doing to our fellow brothers and sisters. This act of disgust which is done by South Africans should be solely condemned and I think it shows how barbaric South Africans are, it may not be done by all South Africans but I will bind all South Africans with one belt. In the past few years Black South Africans were living in terror and horror when rabble-rousers were releasing irons on them, necklacing them, torturing them and sjamboking them while hanging in the trees like the carcass. Many souls have died and it was very painful, isn't xenophobia equal to racism? In face of adversity some freedom-fighters use to run away to other sister African countries and some went to exile in the very countries but such revulsion was not witnessed against them, they warmly hibernated there fighting for this freedom we now treasure that we kill our fellow brothers and sisters. Now that they are hibernating in our territory we beat them up, kill them, loot and destroy their belongings. All these is done by the South Africans who are illiterate, barbaric and stubborn who sit on their laurels being obstreperous and defiant and expect miracles from heaven to help them survive. South Africa is just to face a lot of difficulty, adversity and storms for what they did to our fellow brothers and sisters... After all, pen is mightier than a sword, violence has never been a medicine and it will never be. To our fellow brothers and sisters who were brutalized by the "piece of nothing, atrocious South Africans" alwehlanga lungehlanga (We sympathize with you, be strong). I intercede and repent on behalf of them.
! KE E:/XARRA //KE-diverse people unite

John, you said:
"For heaven’s sake- this is a generation that has just selected a morally bankrupt and deeply flawed human being to be the next leader of the nation".
Sounds like Americans voting for bush.....You conservatives voted for a morally bankrupt, mass murdering corportist, war criminal...now what was more morally reprehensible? You are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths if not millions. You have a huge price to pay to the world for what you have allowed to be done in your name. U sicken me....judge yourself before you judge others....ignorant, arrogant , Americans need to learn this.

Perhaps if the South African government were to take a more responsible role in the region, and stop pretending that its neighbors bad governance isnt a reality. South Africa is not leading the way for others, its ignores the like of Mugabe and other in the reagion out of respect, and "brotherhoodness." Now what, a huge wave of people from the same countries it refuses to condemns are obligated to migrate to South Africa for a better oppurtunity. Remember, Africa is not the USA or Europe, and its far more complex than we think. At the same time, North Koreans are not allowed in China, despite of all the the terrible life they endure,and they are suppose to be brothers. Its the same everywhere, not just South Africa. This is just the beginning of the true survival on this planet.

Sadly enough, human life appears to have no value to many who are looking to blame others for their woes. The South African government has to protect the people within its own borders whether or not they are citizens. As a representative government of the people, they also must move to economic independence and employment for the masses. Isn't this a primary responsibility of a national government?

Shakir Beyah

"Spreading to the United States fast" I think you're just running off at the mouth & don't have your facts .

Time to shift the FIFA 2010 World Cup to another African country, possibly Nigeria or Egypt.. The Barbarians in South Africa are not fit to host the world. They are a disgrace to Africans.

All we ever wanted was democracy. The right to live a safe & peaceful life. The rainbow nation will never see that as the leaders are corrupt & only care for their own safety & pockets. The president has justified the buying of a jet from money given to us by outside lands for the people. Even the queen of England does not have a jet ???? The continent has seen misery because we have dictators that feel that they are Presidents for Life. They do not tolerate opposition of ANY sort. Frustration & helplessness is what we feel. FIFA gave us a lifeline. Will this be removed ??? How will the safety of thousands of visitors be assured when the townships are the breedind grounds for crime. The people are forgotten, they gave their lives for this land for the betterment of the new generation. Sad

can anyone explain to me what the difference between an "immagrant" and an "illegal alien" is...? There seems to be a little confusion regarding this issue..