Yesterday, the President of South Africa condemned violence across South Africa as xenophobic attacks overshadowed a pan-African financial conference in Cape Town, and demonstrators took to the streets demanding that the state crack down on attacks against women.
Ministers admitted on Thursday that some of them were driven by Afrophobia-the resentment of other Africans living and working there. Nigeria boycotted the meeting, while South Africa closed its diplomatic missions in Nigeria after demonstrations in Lagos and Abuja, citing the “unpredictable” condition. Cyril Ramaposa, the President of South Africa, has recognized the indignation of several African nations over the violence against foreigners.
Outbreaks of brutality against Nigerians and residents of other African countries have frequently occurred in South Africa in past few years, with some South Africans accusing drug dealers or leaving employment when the formal unemployment rate is almost 30%.
His comments were prompted by a series of assaults on women, including the rape and murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a pupil in Cape Town.
Mr Ramaposa said that he would ask the South African Parliament to consider amending legislation to make the register of sexual offenders public and that he thinks that those accused of rape should be refused bail and that those convicted of rape should face life in prison.