South African opposition leader Julius Malema has sharply criticised fellow citizens engaged in xenophobic violence against African immigrants, challenging them to show how their actions have created any new jobs.
Speaking at an event marking the 14th anniversary of the Collen Mashawana Foundation on Thursday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader condemned what he described as “xenophobic and afrophobic” attacks targeting foreigners, particularly from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana.
Recent viral videos have shown assaults on African nationals, with the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg reporting the killing of two Nigerians, Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew, amid rising tensions.
Malema directly confronted those who accuse immigrants of stealing local jobs.
“I want to challenge you who say ‘Zimbabweans take your jobs, Nigerians take your jobs’ and you march, close shops, and beat up people. Tell us after doing that, how many jobs have you created?” he said.
He added: “You beat people because they took jobs. You closed a shop that hired five people and you say they take our jobs. After closing that shop, how many jobs have you created?”
The EFF leader reserved particular scorn for what he called unskilled individuals behind the violence.
“Unskilled men, with no skill whatsoever, say somebody took their jobs. The skill they know is to drink and I want to pretend like revolutionaries,” Malema said.
He made clear he would not court support from those harbouring anti-African sentiments.
“I don’t want your votes. If you behave like that, take them away. I don’t want a vote that says to me, I must hate Africans for you to vote for me. I will never do that,” he declared.
Malema’s remarks come as South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment and periodic outbursts of xenophobic violence, often directed at African migrants running small businesses.
