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When the state retreats, something else governs

Daily Maverick · · 2614 words · By Sipho Mthathi
Xenophobia and Human Rights Constitutional Erosion South African Political Governance
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-05-08-south-african-xenophobic-…

psychologyDetected Techniques

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Loaded Language 95% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
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Appeal to Fear 80% confidence
Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.
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Appeal to Pity 90% confidence
Evoking sympathy to win support rather than using logical arguments.
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Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
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Slippery Slope 85% confidence
Arguing that one event will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without evidence.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

20 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 10
check_circle Corroborated 4
info Single Source 4
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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“the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights issued a statement on the violence targeting African nationals in this country”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm that the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, via Rapporteur Solomon Ayele Dersso, issued statements expressing grave concern over xenophobic violence in South Africa.
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web search NEUTRAL — The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), through the Country Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Republic of South Africa, Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, expr…
https://achpr.au.int/en/news/press-releases/2026-04-27/xenop…
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web search NEUTRAL — AU and UN Call for Human Rights Accountability International bodies have intensified their scrutiny of the crisis. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) issued a statement deplor…
https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/features/ghana-petitions-au-o…
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web search NEUTRAL — The African Union, through its Commission on Human and People's Rights, expressed a grave concern at the attacks. Solomon Ayele Dersso, the AU's country rapporteur in South Africa, called on the South…
https://www.ucanews.com/news/african-catholic-bishops-urge-e…
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“It listed the dates — 1998, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2022, 2025”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the existence of the Commission is verified, the provided search results do not contain the specific text of the statement listing those exact years (1998, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2022, 2025).
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web search NEUTRAL — Root Menu - Work with Us. The AU offers exciting opportunities to get involved in determining continental policies and implementing development programmes that impact the lives of African citizens eve…
https://au.int/en/treaties/african-charter-human-and-peoples…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Protocol on the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights[27] adopted by the OAU, aimed to enhance and assist the protective function of the Commission.
https://www.lepetitjuriste.fr/the-african-charter-on-human-a…
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web search NEUTRAL — The African States members of the Organization of African Unity, parties to the present convention entitled “African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights”
https://www.dipublico.org/100706/african-charter-on-human-an…
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“In 2008, after at least 62 people were killed and 100,000 displaced”
CORROBORATED
Both Wikipedia and a report citing the UNHCR confirm that at least 62 people were killed and over 100,000 were displaced during the 2008 xenophobic violence.
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web search NEUTRAL — In 2008, at least 62 people were killed in the xenophobic uprising and attacks. In 2015, another nationwide spike in xenophobic attacks against immigrants in general prompted a number of foreign gover…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenophobia_in_South_Africa
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web search NEUTRAL — In May 2008, xenophobic violence erupted in the Alexandra township near Johannesburg before spreading across the country. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, at least 62 people were killed, more…
https://www.dw.com/en/south-africa-a-timeline-of-recurring-w…
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web search NEUTRAL — At least five people were killed and nearly 2,000 migrants forced into refugee camps, again. The death toll from these waves of anti-migrant violence is a very conservative number according to the Afr…
https://qz.com/africa/915845/nigerians-somalis-and-malawians…
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“In 2015, when King Goodwill Zwelithini called African foreigners “lice””
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that in April 2015, King Goodwill Zwelithini referred to foreigners as 'lice' and 'ticks'.
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web search NEUTRAL — Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu was the King of the Zulu Nation from 1968 to his death in 2021.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. King of the Zulu nation from 1968 to 2021. This article includes a…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodwill_Zwelithini
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web search NEUTRAL — 21st April 2015 by Alec Hogg. A month ago, to roaring applause from his subjects, inappropriately named Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini referred to foreigners as “head lice” and “ticks” who needed to be…
https://www.biznews.com/undictated/2015/04/21/xenophobia-zul…
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web search NEUTRAL — South Africa's influential Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini described recent anti-immigrant attacks as "vile" on Monday, defending himself against claims previous comments he made about foreigners sparke…
https://www.france24.com/en/20150420-south-africa-zulu-zweli…
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“Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba stood beside the bed of a Zimbabwean woman in pain and berated her for the cost of her treatment”
CORROBORATED
Multiple news sources (NewZimbabwe.com and others) report that Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba berated a Zimbabwean patient in a hospital bed regarding the cost of treatment and the impact of foreigners on the health system.
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web search NEUTRAL — The ANC in Limpopo has defended premier Phophi Ramathuba amid a Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) probe into her controversial remarks to a patient from Zimbabwe in Bela Bela Hospital…
https://www.newzimbabwe.com/limpopo-anc-defends-phophi-ramat…
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web search NEUTRAL — Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba’s remarks to a Zimbabwean patient who had just been operated on at a hospital in Bela-Bela has divided opinion over the cost of illegal immigration to SA.
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-08-24-limpo…
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web search NEUTRAL — JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The ANC in Limpopo has defended premier Phophi Ramathuba amid a Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) probe into her controversial remarks to a patient from Z…
https://www.zimlive.com/south-africa-tightens-screws-on-heal…
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“The Patriotic Alliance... declares in its published manifesto of 2024 that “a person within SA’s borders who did not cross the border legally is a criminal”, and proposes “mass detention camps” for processing and removal.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided mentions the Patriotic Alliance's actions regarding border crossers (pushing back 700 people), but the specific wording of the 2024 manifesto regarding 'criminal' status and 'mass detention camps' is not explicitly quoted in the provided search snippets.
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web search NEUTRAL — The only states with an estimated population greater than the number of illegal border crossers are California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia and North Carolina. They…
https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/illegal-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Counterterrorism based in head office for allegations relating to facilitation of illegal movement into Zimbabwe through the Limpopo River,” said Mogale. The case is expected to proceed as investigati…
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/hawks-link-three-illegal-b…
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web search NEUTRAL — Patriotic Alliance, victory rally, Athlong Stadium, Election 2024, foryoupage, fypシ, trendingsound, patrioticalliance, abahambe, VotePA.The Patriotic Alliance claims that it physically pushed back ove…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/patriotic-alliance-on-peter-…
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“Gayton McKenzie... has also spoken, at public events, of building a wall and instructing security forces to “shoot to kill”.”
SINGLE SOURCE
Search results confirm Gayton McKenzie has made explosive statements about illegal foreigners, but the specific phrases 'building a wall' and 'shoot to kill' are not explicitly present in the provided snippets to corroborate the exact wording.
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web search NEUTRAL — Russia's use of semi-state security forces: the case of the Wagner Group.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1060586X.2019.1…
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web search NEUTRAL — Gayton mckenzie blasts illegal foreigners in explosive statement — says south africans are not xenophobic but are being pushed to the limit by illegal immigration.
https://zambianobserver.com/gayton-mckenzie-blasts-illegal-f…
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web search NEUTRAL — #PatrioticAlliance President, Gayton Mckenzie, had the #AthloneStadium roaring with support as he spoke during the party’s ‘Victory Rally’ on Saturday. Illegal aliens from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambi…
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/gayton-mckenzie-athlone-stad…
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“ActionSA... Its manifesto calls for mass deportation.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results provided for this claim are completely irrelevant (referring to Chevrolet car mods for a game), providing no evidence regarding ActionSA's manifesto.
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web search NEUTRAL — Here you can find thousands of user created content for games - mods, like custom vehicles, maps, also tutorials, cheats and news about the latest games! Choose the game you want to explore below, joi…
https://www.modland.net/beamng.drive-mods/search/chevrolet
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web search NEUTRAL — Chevrolet Silverado Pack - What's Included: 1. 1977-1988 Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra The classic square bodies. Includes multiple grille and trim options (Black, Chrome, Body-Colored). Custom bui…
https://www.modland.net/beamng.drive-mods/cars/chevrolet-sil…
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web search NEUTRAL — 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle — a massive and highly polished update of the legendary American muscle car for BeamNG. This mod redefines the classic Chevelle experience, delivering…
https://www.modland.net/beamng.drive-mods/cars/1970-chevrole…
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“Its leader has argued for parallel justice systems for “hardened immigrant prisoners” and the stripping of healthcare and schooling access from the undocumented.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this claim.
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“The MK Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party have joined anti-migrant marches in Johannesburg’s CBD.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this claim.
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“the latest gathered at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature only last week, where Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi received the memorandum.”
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“its Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille, has now announced that she will deploy a special Metro Police unit to identify undocumented people and hand them to Home Affairs for deportation.”
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“two years ago, her party’s post-election position favoured regularising Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders”
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“In November last year, the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg declared Operation Dudula’s conduct unlawful, unconstitutional and xenophobic.”
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“It granted a wide-ranging interdict against the harassment of foreign nationals, the demanding of identity documents, the blocking of clinics and schools.”
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“The MK Party, the Patriotic Alliance, and members of the ANC’s Johannesburg structures publicly aligned themselves with Operation Dudula.”
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“The Department of Home Affairs has now released a White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection.”
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“The Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri), the law firm that represented the applicants in the case that produced last November’s interdict, has itself been the subject of protests at its offices since the judgment.”
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“Lawyers for Human Rights has had to close legal clinics that serve refugees on more than one occasion, for the safety of staff.”
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“The UN refugee agency’s offices in this country have themselves been targeted by demonstrations.”
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info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.