Immigration

Slow Home Affairs prevents Zimbabweans from making ends meet

Zimbabweans whose business permit applications have been rejected are hoping that the decision will be reversed, but the Department of Home Affairs is dragging its heels.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 26 May 2015

“After we treat them, they say you kwere kwere”

Burundian nurse Elvira Modesero was a victim of the xenophobic violence that took place in Kwazulu-Natal in April. She told her story to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This is an edited and shortened transcript of her interview.

Elvira Modesero, as told to Doctors Without Borders

News | 20 May 2015

Operation Fiela: Sweeping Dignity Aside

Just under a month ago today, South Africa was shocked by the images on the cover of the Sunday Times on 19 April 2015. The images depicted Emmanuel Sithole, a Mozambican man and breadwinner for his family, lying on his back amongst rubbish as he pleaded with three men bearing knives standing above him, moments before they fatally stabbed him in cold blood.

Lara Wallis

Opinion | 18 May 2015

Extraordinary wage inequality among those paid with public money

South Africa is desperately short of nurses and many highly skilled practitioners are now over the age of 50 and nearing retirement. Yet there are estimated to be more than 30,000 South African nurses working abroad, everywhere from Dubai to Dublin.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 18 May 2015

Bangladeshi shop owners face xenophobic threats from Kimberley residents

The Bangladeshi owners of a shop were escorted out of Roodepan by heavily armed police officers last night. This happened after angry residents pelted the shop, Roodepan Mobile on Starling Street, with bricks and stones shortly after 7pm.

Douglas Mthukwane

News | 12 May 2015

Foreign nationals despondent after police raid their stalls

"What these people are doing is not right. Most of my relatives do not know what to do. All their goods were taken yesterday. They do not know what to do next," says Fatima Hassan, 29, a Somali who owns a stall in Bellville.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 11 May 2015

SANCO chairperson asks foreigners for protection money

Mthethwa Filita, chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation in Mayibuye, Makhaza, has been asking for protection money from shops owned by foreign nationals.

Pharie Sefali

News | 7 May 2015

Zimbabweans fund raise for young and old

It is better to give than to receive. Say no to xenophobia and say yes to assisting and uplifting your community. These were the sentiments of Zimbabwean business people in Cape Town. On Sunday in Muizenberg, they sponsored a charity fundraising event for Marinatha Home for the Elderly and the Mother’s Love Educare crèche in Capricorn.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 4 May 2015

“Back to square one, because of xenophobia

Congolese refugee Sebastien Bazolo, 50, gave up his Durban job to flee back to Cape Town when xenophobia broke out in KwaZulu Natal.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 30 April 2015

Four men charged with robbing Ethiopian shop

Four men have been charged with robbing two Ethiopian nationals in Pietermaritzburg.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 28 April 2015

Foreigners the target of frustration with inequality ,“ Cape Town archbishop

In his opening address on Wednesday night at a rally against xenophobia organised by COSATU in the Cape Town City Hall, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said pressure should be put on government to come up with a comprehensive immigration policy and provide refuge to those fleeing danger and violence without worsening the plight of South Africans.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 24 April 2015

“It’s better that we go home before they kill us”

“We have the darkest skin colour so it is easy to see that we are not South African”, says Malawian national Niga Wezele. The 22-year-old fled from Isipingo when the xenophobic attacks started in KwaZulu Natal.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 24 April 2015

Thousands march against xenophobia in Johannesburg

Thousands of people marched against xenophobia in Johannesburg on Thursday 24 April. The march proceeded through Constitutional Hill, Hillbrow, the CBD and Newtown. Here is a selection of photos.

GroundUp Staff

News | 23 April 2015

Call for parliament to sign anti-xenophobia pledge

About 100 people marched against xenophobia in Cape Town yesterday. The protest was organised by several civil society organisation including PASSOP and Sonke Gender Justice.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 April 2015

“They just came to our home and slapped me”

Nowela Mukeyo, an 11-year-old Grade 5 pupil at an Isipingo primary school in Durban, calls a tent on the Isipingo football ground home.

Chris Makhaye

News | 22 April 2015

Xenophobia: let’s avoid the easy answers

Much has been written about why the recent wave of xenophobic attacks took place. But it's more complex than the usual reasons given, argue the authors.

Matthias Krönke and Mpho Raboeane

Opinion | 21 April 2015