Xeno Violence in South Africa

[MBlight]

Hey guys! I'm not quite sure how to start this but I'll give it my best shot, GeneD, feel free to add what's missing!

These last two weeks have shown me some of the most horrific behaviour that I've ever seen in my country (South Africa). Some of our local people have been attacking foreigners in the townships in Gauteng (the province I live in) with absolute brutality. People are being burnt alive, their being shot and murdered and tortured. There are guys killing shop and business owners because they simply EMPLOY foreigners and the police are under tremendous pressure to work miracles.

The people behind the attacks are complaining that foreigners are taking their jobs and forcing them to crime and violence... while these people that they are killing are fleeing mostly from places like Zimbabwe where their LIVES and the lives of their families are at risk as well. And maybe it's true but that's the start of a long debate that I don't want to start just yet.

In my opinion and the opinion of dozens of people that I've spoken to this is a state of emergency and we have an amazing army just waiting to be deployed but the government is afraid to show the rest of the world that there's a problem, and honestly, I don't blame them, with SA's history they're under a lot of pressure to fix South Africa in no time, but the thing is that our police force is not equipped to deal with a problem like this, they need the army to intervene... I wish they would, because on top of all this, my aunt is a police officer working in Soweto, where the violence spread to this last weekend, and her safety is very much at risk.

Please pray that God's will be done here, I really believe that He has really special plans for South Africa and that he has a real heart for it's people but I am so scared to what South Africans are turning to to get their way, it really is going to take a miracle...

[MBlight]

I got an update today, our president has allowed the army to step in as the violence has spread to other provinces. Here's an article if you'd like to read it:article

[Tsukuyomi]

I'll be praying for all of you O_O Please stay safe >_>

[GeneD]

I'm obviously praying.

Just to reiterate and expand on what MBlight said; the foreigners being attacked are not people visiting the country, but are mostly refugees from Zimbabwe and other foreigners living and working in South Africa.

Then from a personal perspective -I love my country and I don't want to leave, but these kinds of incidents are scary and reminds us just how fragile our society is. Sometimes I do think it would be best to just get out and I know there are a lot of people who feel the same way and are making plans to emigrate. It's very sad.

[MBlight]

They actually took a poll where they wanted to find out how many people actually want to leave, out of 600 respondents 20% indicated that they wanted to imigrate in the near future ... that's 1 out of every 5 people!!!

[SnEptUne]

Foreigners are not always bad to a country. They took away jobs, but they can create more jobs, especially if they are educated. If everyone have proper education, there will be more scientists and discoveries, which can help with the development of a country. Sadly, not everyone have the opportunities for educations...

[Prince Asbel]

That's so bad. SA and your aunt are in my prayers.

[MBlight]

Foreigners are not always bad to a country. They took away jobs, but they can create more jobs, especially if they are educated. If everyone have proper education, there will be more scientists and discoveries, which can help with the development of a country. Sadly, not everyone have the opportunities for educations...

I never meant to imply that foreigners are bad! Our government takes a policy of welcoming those in distress with open arms. The thing, however is, that these people are mostly not even educated on a school level ... refugees... and we already have a 40% umemployment rate (this is an estimate) and that number is growing every day... POVERTY is what is causing most of the stress ... I think, any way.