South African xenophobia has increased significantly since the 1994 Democratic election. Although there was a lack of direct data, a study published in 2004 by the South African Migration Project (SAMP) perceived the increase in xenophobic attacks.
The African National Congress (ANC) government, during the reign of President Nelson Mandela, attempted to surmount the past divisions of the apartheid era and construct new practices of social unity. The new government started aggressive and comprehensive projects for the Rainbow Nation in an attempt to unite the people. During this time, there was an increase in the unforeseen byproduct of intolerance toward outsiders. In communities, especially those around underdeveloped townships, there was a visible division caused by bitter feelings and distrust, which began to spark violent action against foreign citizens.
In the study, based on a survey by participating citizens across the country, many South Africans expressed a harsh sentiment toward foreigners. Up to 64 percent of people were in favor of the government settings limits on the number of foreigners entering the country.
The study revealed that police officers in Johannesburg were of the opinion that up to 87 percent of those accused of crimes were undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities. There is no substantial statistical evidence of this claim.
Immigrants realized that the police could not offer protection and reported that the officers mistreated, stole from them and made unfounded allegations. This was reported to a Burundian refugee representative in March 2007.
There was violence before the first May 2008 xenophobia attacks. Human Rights Watch reported from neighboring countries that during January 1995, foreign nationals living in the township of Alexandra were assaulted physically. Logal armed gangs began the task of identifing migrants who had no legal documentation. The locals then took the migrants to police stations to try to free the community of immigrants. The 1995 campaign of ridding foreigners was known as Buyelekha (Go Back Home). The locals blamed immigrants for the rise in unemployment, sexual attacks and crime.
In September 1998, a group of South Africans blamed immigrants for the spreading of AIDS and crime and threw two Senegalese and a Mozambican man out of a moving train. During 2000, over a five-week period, up to seven immigrants were killed at the infamous Cape-Flats establishment in South Africa. The killings were labeled as due to xenophobia, instigated by a fear that local property would be claimed by foreigners.
During October 2001, at the informal Zandspruit settlement, the locals ordered Zimbabweans to leave within ten days. When the immigrants failed to do so, the locals burnt the shacks and forcefully removed them from the settlement. The local members expressed being annoyed that the foreigners had worked while they remained jobless.
At the end of 2005 and stretching into the first days of 2006, there were reports that two Zimbabweans were among the four people that died in the township of Olievenhoutbosch. A local man’s death was blamed on the foreigners. Once again, the shacks were burnt and looting occurred.
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