How world sees SA: Shameful xenophobia

The logic displayed by police minister Bheki Cele in saying mere criminality is to blame for this week's attacks on foreign nationals is hard to follow – and is being strongly questioned by Nigeria's angry Foreign Affairs Minister. Overseas media reports overwhelmingly view xenophobia as to blame, whatever its causes. Early local introspection reveals 'born frees' seemingly ignorant of the ANC's deep historic struggle-debt to other African countries and their peoples. – Chris Bateman

By Thulasizwe Sithole

While not on the level of the final surge of civic unrest in the dying days of the apartheid regime, the ongoing and intermittent killing of foreigners and looting of their informal businesses is becoming sickeningly commonplace, with no possible moral justification. That's the thrust of the New York Times coverage and background reporting about this week's killing of five people and the arrests of 189 in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

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