Africa reacts to SA xenophobic violence

Xenophobic violence has once again reared its ugly head in South Africa. In recent weeks, scores of Nigerians shops and homes have been looted and destroyed across parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria, in an act of mob justice as they were allegedly drug dens and brothels.

This is not the first time xenophobic violence has plagued South Africa with the height of the violence in 2008 seeing 67 people  killed. With an estimated 5 million immigrants living in South Africa combined with the current climate of unemployment and poverty, tensions show no signs of abating.

The tensions have in fact been escalated by the backlash from other African countries,  much of it coming from online platforms such as Twitter. Although majority of people have spoken out against the violence, some ,chillingly, believe it is necessary.

Here are reactions from across the continent:

https://twitter.com/comradesipho/status/834766808443936770

https://twitter.com/Morwatau/status/834769005181284354

the only way to fight crime is to send those who make crime back to their country #xenophobia

— FREEDOM FIGHTER (@PrinceSeroka) February 23, 2017

#XENOPHOBIA | “Boycott All South African Brands In Nigeria!” Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo… https://t.co/jpzMxqeYw9 pic.twitter.com/lvnjaw6WXJ

— Peace Ben Williams (@DeevaPeace) February 23, 2017

https://twitter.com/Mizzb_Boitumelo/status/834770681770426369

When xenophobic attacks occur blame is not to be assigned to savage attackers alone. SA gvt has failed expatriates. #Impunity #Xenophobia

— Nkola Matamba S. (@Simeon_5) February 22, 2017

https://twitter.com/Lord_sthenjwa/status/834760044528926720

I say NO to #Xenophobia but illegal immigrants, drugs lords, child pornographers, and human traffickers have no place in our society. BYE!

— PAPI (@PapiOfficial_25) February 23, 2017