Security and Economic Implications of Xenophobia Crisis Attacks of Foreign Nationals in South Africa

South Africa as a country has experience youth violence attacks on their  fellow African nationalist since 2008, this attitude has constitute the action  of  what we have witnesses today  in the International System as  „ Xenophobia „ or „ Afro-Phobia violence‟ these action  has led to attacks of various African Nationalist on 30th March, 2015  at Isipingo outside the Durban town that  later escalated to different  part of the  country where the violence has  directly linking to  attacks on African Immigrants and their  lawful business,  which allegedly refers to  as a labour dispute over the employment of Immigrants at the Jeena Super Market in Isipingo and later the crisis targeted those South African indigenes who are Landlord to other African Migrants. However, very unfortunately, in few months back we witnessing another fresh attack on many Nigeria  Nationalist conducting lawful business in South Africa in the month of September 2019, this violence by gangs of unemployed youth in South Africa have led to damaging the spirit of International Relationship affairs between South Africa and other African Countries. In Nigeria counter reprisal attacks on South African companies has been engage by violent youth in Nigeria in places like Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Rivers State. The paper has the following findings. Firstly, there was economic competition amongst foreign and nationals who use local gangs to attack their competitors in South Africa, as well as competition between foreigners and local business owners. Secondly, the study established the links between xenophobia, Youth Unemployment and criminal attacks on   foreign African business. Thirdly, the study noted the inability of the South African Government to employ risk-reduction strategy that could prevent and mitigate the impacts of xenophobia escalation to become a crisis. Fourthly, the state apparatus‟s failed to detect, prevent or mitigate the impact and respond timorously. This study necessitates the need for municipalities in African countries to develop or review by-laws on economic development in the townships and in the informal settlements by regulating informal businesses in African Region to have a harmonized system where African Nationalist everywhere in the region can enjoy the privileged of undertaking business in any African countries without much hindrance. The research study has  further encourage the government of various African countries to apply effective, efficient and appropriate crime-intelligence strategies that can detect, prevent  or combat any sign of xenophobia in all sectors of society.

Keywords: Xenophobia; Business competition; illegal attacks and gangsters.