This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
South Africa is once again gripped by an acute outbreak of xenophobia, with the rest of the continent taking notice and speaking out against the violence.
On Monday, a building in central Johannesburg occupied mainly by Nigerian migrants caught fire, with occupants jumping to the ground to escape only to be met by a howling mob.
Similar scenes have engulfed South Africa's commercial capital for the better part of this week, with xenophobic attacks targeting fellow Africans who are only there because jobs are non-existent in their own countries.
While some run legitimate businesses or eke out a living doing menial jobs, all are now being accused of turning to crime.
Native South Africans do not want them there and once they go berserk, they do not demand papers or distinguish between criminals and genuine 'economic refugees'. Every foreigner is fair game so long as he or she is a fellow African.
There have been no reports of whites or Asians being targeted, despite owning shops and other businesses.
Many theories have been advanced to explain the curious selectivity of these anti-African rampages, including the claim that migrants are taking jobs and selling drugs and counterfeits.
However, as Trevor Noah argues, the statistics do not add up, with African migrants making up only 0.00001% of South Africa's wealth, while whites control over 85%.
Another argument is that the ANC has been unable to deliver on its promises, with the white elite still dominating the economy and the gap between the wealthy and poor widening.
As a result, the ruling class may be responsible for inciting this agitation to convince South Africans that their poverty is caused by migrants.
Should this be the case, then there is no likelihood of any reduction in the frequency of xenophobic attacks.
Either the migrants return home voluntarily, which is highly improbable, or the South African government takes sterner measures to curb the lawlessness.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's tepid response will never do the trick.
