#JoburgRaid sparks xenophobic debate on social media
The purpose of the raids was to crackdown on counterfeit goods and illegal trading will continue in other areas of the province.
Social media is abuzz following a raid of foreign-owned shops that was conducted by law enforcement agencies in Johannesburg Central District yesterday.
#Xenophobia has been trending with mixed reactions and various opinions on the matter. The purpose of the raids was to crackdown on counterfeit goods and illegal trading will continue in other areas of the province.
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura tweeted that there were 568 arrests and over 600 undocumented foreign nationals were taken in for verification of status in the country and criminal records. Six rifles, six pistols, four shotguns and hundreds of various ammunition were seized. A large consignment of counterfeit goods was found in various buildings. Community Safety and Security MEC, Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng Police Commissioner, Elias Mawela were also part of the raids.
Twitter streets were abuzz, here’s what they had to say about the trend:
https://twitter.com/Word_Saint/status/1159358601707831297
https://twitter.com/Word_Saint/status/1159356739835310080
Let’s also not forget that hijacked buildings, lack of development & I’ll treatment of traders by police did not begin in 2019. This has been an ongoing problem for as long as our democracy has existed. To now only blame foreign nationals is STILL xenophobic #JoburgRaids
— Dr Thokozani Chilenga-Butao (PhD) (@thokozani_cb) August 8, 2019
I’m not xenophobic but….
Sounds so much like I’m not a racist but…🙄 https://t.co/1widyskTGl— Justine Limpitlaw (@JustineLimLaw) August 8, 2019
How is this not xenophobic? She slept in a cell!!! An ENTIRE Night. Because of papers she wasn’t carrying at the time? Msunery! #JoburgRaid IS A XENOPHOBIC Attack! #JoburgRaid is a front. For all it’s good intentions, police are low key carrying out xenophobic attacks as well
— Lelani ✨🌻 (@iNdlovukazi__) August 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/sofmokoena/status/1159328504267378693
https://twitter.com/AdvovoWabantu/status/1159341663124373504
South Africa, just imagine what was going to continue happening in our @CityofJoburgZA had I succumb to all those guns mobilized to portray me as Xenophobic, insulted and called names on daily media platforms. We finally appreciate our desperate voice being heard https://t.co/d56CTXPnbk
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) August 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/exwhorested/status/1159283556453163008
https://twitter.com/David_Makhura/status/1159349870215553025\
Sedibeng
14 arrests, mostly murder and rapeEkurhuleni
184 arrests – Assault GBH 17, House breaking 7, Murder 6, Rape 1Johannesburg
192 arrests – Rape 12, Sexual assault 4, business robbery 9, armed robbery 3, GBH 36, Common assault 38 #OkaeMolao pic.twitter.com/NdFJgNb0gW— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) August 8, 2019
#JHBRAID Gauteng Police Commissioner, Elias Mawela, says the crackdown on counterfeit goods will continue in other areas of the province #SABCNEWS pic.twitter.com/6yrlN919X3
— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) August 8, 2019
