A leading academic has raised concerns that South Africa’s approach to xenophobic violence is failing to address the root causes, allowing tensions against foreign nationals to persist.
Nkululeko Sibiya, a lecturer at the University of South Africa, says government responses have largely come after incidents occur, rather than preventing them through firm and consistent enforcement of the law.
Speaking in a media interview, he argued that political calculations often complicate how authorities respond to anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly when public opinion becomes sensitive around elections.
He suggested that some political actors risk amplifying exclusionary narratives for electoral gain, which in turn shapes how migration issues are handled at state level.
Sibiya also referenced the growing influence of civic movements such as Operation Dudula, noting that while they present themselves as community-driven initiatives, their messaging has increasingly intersected with political interests and anti-migrant sentiment.
According to him, although South African law prohibits xenophobic violence, enforcement has not been strong or consistent enough to deter offenders or reassure affected communities.
He stressed that a lack of visible consequences for perpetrators undermines confidence in the justice system and weakens the state’s ability to protect all residents, regardless of nationality.
Sibiya warned that unless authorities take a more proactive stance, xenophobic incidents are likely to continue resurfacing in cycles of tension and unrest.
