An instance of xenophobia: an investigation into the violence against Somali traders in Khayelitsha

Abstract

South Africa has been praised by many as having the most democratic constitution in the world which safeguards the rights of all who live within the borders of the nation. Ironically this has not been so with migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers, mainly of African origin. Attacks on these groups have been on the increase since the 1990s with little protection of their rights and dignities by the South African authorities. Many of the attacks reported takes place in townships and informal settlements which is mostly inhabited by black South Africans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attacks on Somali traders in the township of Khayelitsha.