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XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE PLAN OF ACTION |
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Xenophobia... All in South Africa and around the world took note of what happened in 2008 where just over 60 people (20 of which were South Africans) were killed during the eruption of violence throughout communities.
Although much can be said about the fact that such xenophobic violence has its origins in traditional, tribal and institutionalized segregation in our history, the current emotional turmoil which surrounds the issue is directly linked to Service Delivery and Corruption.
We can have a protracted discussion on the causes of xenophobia, but these are issues that have already been widely extrapolated and our main focus should be, and is on how we can prevent or minimize the incidents of xenophobic linked violence.
Although we have had conflicting statements issued by Govt and the ruling party around the current threat of Xenophobic violence post 2010 Soccer World Cup, our organization is well aware that various activities are taking place within government structures to attend to this issue:
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On a National level, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Xenophobia has been revived and is currently chaired by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
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Various Disaster management structures within the government sphere have been activated and have contingency plans formulated or in the process of being formulated.
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The South African Police Force has been busy since May on establishing a template for contingency plans right down to Station level.
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Various committees and structures have been formed at Provincial and Local Government Level to create awareness surrounding xenophobia and attempt to establish community Unity and Cohesion.
These efforts can be commended, however it has been clear from our monitoring of attitudes and incidents in communities that Xenophobic attitudes are not only prevalent in communities but have shown a marked increase especially as the end of the world cup draws nearer.
DMPSP is involved at various levels with Government and Civil Society Organizations and has identified the following crucial actions that need to be taken both by Government and Civil society, especially at community level in identified possible “hot spots” throughout the country.
Monitoring and Reporting
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Civil Society Organizations have to come together as a unified front and forum in the establishment of a centralized incident monitoring and reporting structure / network which will allow for speedy reporting and immediate investigation.
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From a government perspective the National Intelligence Agency and Police Crime Intelligence are by default supposed to be on increased alert in monitoring, investigation and executing the course of justice in such matters.
Local Government Structures
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Community, Faith Based, Political, Labour and all other civil society organizations must involve themselves, Issue directives and place pressure on Local Government leaders / structures to actively participate in addressing the issue of xenophobia in their respective wards. Leaders must :
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Create a platform for community involvement in addressing the “Cost of Violence” issue.
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Immediately embark on campaigns to build confidence, cohesion, tolerance and unity in their respective communities.
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Become actively involved in addressing the short-falls in serving the needs of their respective communities.
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Formulate contingency plans and establish links to necessary disaster management structures and organizations.
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Govt and political leaders must issue directives and provide training seminars to Councillors as a matter of urgency to address these issues.
Community Police Forums (CPF's)
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South African Police Force involvement and cooperation with CPF's must take a priority role in monitoring, creating awareness and disseminating policy and crime combating strategies around the issue of Xenophobic Violence to CPF's and Communities.
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The Intelligence gathering and monitoring capability and resource that lies within community police forums must be widely exploited by the SAPF as an early warning system.
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The involvement of CPF structures in the monitoring and the bringing to justice of instigators and perpetrators of violence is crucial in allowing communities to take responsibility and ownership of the issue xenophobic violence in their respective communities.
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CPF structures can prepare and establish contingency plans for handling the outbreak of violence and possible disaster management issues that come attached with such outbreaks.
Media
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Civil Society Organizations, Political Parties, Labour and Government must exploit all avenues of the media on a national and local level in creating awareness in the public surrounding the “Cost of Violence” to communities.
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Media must be made aware with regards to responsible reporting surrounding the issues of xenophobic violence.
Contingency Plans
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Areas or “Hot Spots” must be immediately identified which must be targeted for immediate implementation of contingency plans. It must be noted that it is not only areas which were affected by violence in 2008 that should be targeted. Any such areas interventions have taken place and possibility exists that violence may not occur in such areas. Other areas where tensions around service delivery exist must be identified and targeted for intervention. Of articular concern in the Gauteng Province is the Vaal Area where we have noted that there is a marked increase in mobilization towards xenophobic violence. These could have a spill over effect into other areas.
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Police must increase their intelligence gathering capabilities in identified areas and specific deterrent actions must be taken to prevent outbreak of violence. Dept of Justice must be include in Police Planning. Police leadership must ensure that members of the force are adequately sensitized around the issue and special emphasis placed on assessing the “Cost of Violence” and the effective application of the “Rule of Law” in such matters. Police Force members have often been accused of being apathetic towards the issue of Xenophobia, but Force members have to understand the cost to police credibility and their ability to apply the rule of law should such violence be allowed to take place unhindered.
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Disaster management units at all levels of govt must ensure that adequate Relief management plans are in place and coordination of such efforts must take place through a Joint Operational Plan between Civil Society / Relief Aid Organizations and various spheres of government.
Other
Although all indicators point to the high probability that there will be an outbreak of xenophobic violence it is important to comprehend that there is still space for prevention and all efforts must be applied in ensuring that this may be brought about.
It is important that ongoing and current efforts / campaigns to create community cohesion and educate the public around issues of Xenophobia must be intensified.
It is equally important that Government and political parties issue strong statements and provide responsible leadership to the public in this regard.
It is essential that the euphoria that has developed around the Successful Hosting of the Soccer World Cup 2010 must be widely exploited.
Campaigns by leadership in all spheres of our communities must be directed towards building the confidence in our Nation that Africans can and will ensure that problems and challenges such as service delivery, crime and even xenophobic violence can be effectively solved.
It is important that a message of building on Unity and Productivity be sent out to the public, and that such challenges are issues that can be productively worked on to find a common solution.
National Pride has been boosted by the Soccer World Cup. South African and African Citizens as a whole have finally accepted that we not only have the confidence, but also the capability to successfully host an event of this magnitude.
The Soccer World Cup has greatly boosted the image of the country and has far reaching benefits for South Africa into the future.
The feeling of pride and national unity which has been enhanced by the event must be a platform to motivate and to maintain the momentum gained and progress to the level of addressing other challenges faced by our country and communities in the same productive and creative manner.
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