READ: What to know about the refugee ruling that sparked riots in Durban and Soweto
Violent protests erupted in Durban and Johannesburg this week following widespread misinformation about a Home Affairs directive on how asylum seekers should be processed.
Professor Loren Landau (African Centre for Migration & Society, Wits University) argues that political actors across the spectrum have capitalised on anti-immigrant sentiment; helping move what was once considered fringe rhetoric closer to the centre of South African politics. He points to figures like ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba and the Patriotic Alliance’s Gayton McKenzie as examples of politicians who have made immigration a prominent part of their messaging. As misinformation spreads and elections approach, the consequences are becoming increasingly dangerous.
[Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images]