This following chronology looks back at the problem of
xenophobia since South Africa’s first democratic elections in
1994. The Zulu-based Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) threatens to
take “physical action” if the government fails to respond to the
perceived crisis of undocumented migrants in South Africa. IFP
leader and Minister of Home Affairs Mangosutho Buthelezi says in
his first speech to parliament: “If we as South Africans are
going to compete for scarce resources with millions of aliens
who are pouring into South Africa, then we can bid goodbye to
our Reconstruction and Development Programme.” In December gangs
of South Africans try to evict perceived “illegals” from
Alexandra township, blaming them for increased crime, sexual
attacks and unemployment. The campaign, lasting several weeks,
is known as “Buyelekhaya” (Go back home). A report by the
Southern African Bishops’ Conference concludes: “There is no
doubt that there is a very high level of xenophobia in our
country … One of the main problems is that