South African opposition leader, Julius Malema, has condemned renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals residing in South Africa.
Malema made the remarks during a recent public engagement, where he criticised South Africans involved in attacks on foreign nationals, insisting that violence and intimidation would not solve unemployment challenges.
He said blaming foreign nationals such as Nigerians, Zimbabweans and Ghanaians for job losses was misguided.
According to him, shutting down businesses owned by foreign nationals and attacking migrants had not translated into employment opportunities for South Africans.
“You say Zimbabweans take your jobs, Nigerians take your jobs, and you march, close shops and beat up people.
“After doing that, how many jobs have you created?” he asked.
Malema argued that businesses run by foreign nationals often employ local residents and contribute to economic activity.
He questioned the logic of targeting such businesses while claiming to be protecting jobs.
The opposition leader also criticised discrimination against African migrants in public institutions.
He said no African child should be denied access to education, while pregnant women should not be turned away from hospitals because of nationality.
“I do not want the votes of people who would look at an African child, who looks like their own children, and say that child must be removed from a South African school,” he said.
Malema’s comments come amid reports of renewed xenophobic incidents in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals have periodically faced attacks, looting and forced displacement.
Observers say xenophobic tensions in South Africa are often linked to frustrations over unemployment, crime and economic inequality.
However, rights groups have repeatedly called for stronger protection of migrants and improved regional solidarity across the continent.
