Xenophobia a major factor in attacks on Somali shops

Discounting xenophobia in the attacks against foreign-owned shops will not help in addressing the root problems of the violence.

This was the warning by experts who were involved in discussions after the widespread 2008 xenophobic attacks.

All three spheres of government have said the attacks on shops owned by foreigners in Soweto, Kagiso and other townships were perpetrated by "criminal elements".

But the view of human rights activists differs.

"It would be a shame to deny any of the causes of the violence. The causes are complex.

"There are criminal elements and xenophobia at play.

"At this stage there seem to be no grounds to discount xenophobia," said Patricia Erasmus, programme manager at Lawyers for Human Rights.

The attacks and looting of foreign-owned shops began on January 20 in Snake Park after Siphiwe Mahori, 14, was shot and killed, allegedly by a Somali businessman.

Ensuing attacks then spread to other parts of Soweto and the West Rand.

In 2008, more than 60 people died when violent attacks on foreigners began in Alexandra before spreading across the country.

After the 2008 violence, the SA Human Rights Commission conducted a study into the outbreak and released a report with recommendations in 2010.

Among the recommendations was that the government develop an action plan to address obstacles to local, provincial and national responses to social conflict disasters.

Dominique Dix-peek, researcher at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation said none of the commission's recommendations were implemented.

She said further studies showed that the government had ignored warnings about tension between locals and foreigners in townships.

The International Organisation for Migration said the recent violence was a "painful reminder of the continued vulnerability of migrants in South Africa".