Xenophobia means no protection
Date: January 1, 1970
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My wife, daughter and I live in a room, sharing a house with other people. We are foreigners, who left our country to find a better life in South Africa. The problem I have is that one of these people sharing my home is a stubborn man who abuses my wife almost everyday, verbally and physically. He is also a foreigner, but not from the same country as mine.
I work sometimes at night, so it is difficult for me to always be there to protect her. Last week, it was Sunday around 9pm. My wife heard my daughter crying out, and when she rushed to see what the problem was, she found that this man had pushed his way into the toilet, where my young daughter was inside.
My wife of course began to shout at the man, demanding to know what he was doing inside, and telling him to get out. The man became very abusive to her. My wife called me at work. I immediately left my work and rushed to the house. When I arrived, I found them still shouting, and the man had my wife’s head under his arm, holding her.
I do not like to fight, but in this case, I had no choice. Myself and the man began to fight, and my wife rushed off to get the police. They delayed for some time, but when they arrived we began to recount the story of what had happened, an d the many problems we had with this man.
We hoped the police would assist us, and arrest the man. However, after listening for a short time, the officers told us that they are sick and tired of us foreigners. They said, “If the xenophobia attacks can come again, it’s better, then you will all go back to your countries.”
I am very much desperate and disappointed with the police for not assisting in such a sensitive matter as women and child abuse. All women and children have the right to be protected no matter where they are from. As for myself, the government has granted me documents to live and work here with my family, so why are we not entitled to the same protection?
My only choice now is to move from the house and find another room, but it does not seem fair as we did nothing wrong. My wife and child are the victims, but it now they must leave their home. Worse, this man can do what he wants to other families, and know that he can get away with it.
For that, I have decided to speak out so that there might be a change. South Africans and people living here from other countries should have the same protection.
* not his real name
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