CAPE TOWN - When community groupings take over the role of government officials, including conducting “inspections” aimed at foreign-owned establishments, then South Africans have reason to believe that those they voted into power have failed them.
In recent months there has been a considerable increase in the number of these community groupings targeting certain sectors of society, in particular foreign nationals, accusing them of being behind some of the crimes committed in the country.
These groupings can be easily described as vigilantes, because at times they charge, prosecute and convict. Among them is the so-called Operation Dudula (push), a group obsessed with those of African origin.
Others have been filmed violently demanding that elderly people produce their ID documents. Those who lived during apartheid know very well the pain that this inflicts on people.
Africans have become easy targets, even by their own brothers and sisters.
Just look at the events in Ukraine where Africans are being prevented from crossing the border to safety. We commend those who have condemned these racist attitudes.
Here at home, the events of 2008 are still haunting our nation. The sad reality is we have not dealt with the root causes that put our country on a map of shame when foreign nationals were attacked.
Poverty, inequality and unemployment persist, with very little hope we can overcome them.
Very often our crises are blamed on foreigners.
The fact that the government, especially those in the security cluster, have yet to put an end to groupings such as Dudula should be cause for concern.
What happens when those who are targeted fight back? We have seen the results of this in the past.
The deadly July unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng is a perfect example of what happens when community groups use power they do not legally have.
A large number of those who were killed were black South Africans attacked by those claiming to be protecting their property in Phoenix.
A regular contributor to this page correctly pointed out that: “The only lesson we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.”
Fortunately our ministers still have time to right the wrongs of the past, if only they cared about the plight of those they claim to be representing.
Cape Times