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When the state retreats, something else governs

Daily Maverick · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 2614 words · By Sipho Mthathi
Xenophobia and Human Rights Constitutional Erosion South African Political Governance
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What to know about Xenophobia and Human Rights

One week ago, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights issued a statement on the violence targeting African nationals in this country.

Claims checked 20
Techniques found 5
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

One week ago, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights issued a statement on the violence targeting African nationals in this country.

Why it matters

It listed the dates — 1998, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2022, 2025.

Common ground

It described what is happening as a “longstanding pattern”.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Appeal to Fear, Appeal to Pity: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-05-08-south-african-xenophobic-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 5 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 95% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Appeal to Fear 80% confidence
Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to fear helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Appeal to Pity 90% confidence
Evoking sympathy to win support rather than using logical arguments.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to pity helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Slippery Slope 85% confidence
Arguing that one event will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing slippery slope helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 20 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 10
info Single Source 4
check_circle Corroborated 4
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info
Claim 1: “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.
travel_explore
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…
info
Claim 2: “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.
travel_explore
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
travel_explore
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…
travel_explore
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…
schedule
Claim 3: “The UN refugee agency’s offices in this country have themselves been targeted by demonstrations.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 4: “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.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 5: “In November last year, the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg declared Operation Dudula’s conduct unlawful, unconstitutional and xenophobic.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 6: “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.
check_circle
Claim 7: “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.
travel_explore
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…
travel_explore
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…
travel_explore
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…
schedule
Claim 8: “two years ago, her party’s post-election position favoured regularising Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 9: “It granted a wide-ranging interdict against the harassment of foreign nationals, the demanding of identity documents, the blocking of clinics and schools.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 10: “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).
travel_explore
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…
travel_explore
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…
info
Claim 11: “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.
travel_explore
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-…
travel_explore
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…
travel_explore
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-…
schedule
Claim 12: “The Department of Home Affairs has now released a White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 13: “The MK Party, the Patriotic Alliance, and members of the ANC’s Johannesburg structures publicly aligned themselves with Operation Dudula.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 14: “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.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 15: “the latest gathered at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature only last week, where Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi received the memorandum.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 16: “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.
check_circle
Claim 17: “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'.
travel_explore
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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Claim 18: “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.
travel_explore
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
travel_explore
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…
schedule
Claim 19: “Lawyers for Human Rights has had to close legal clinics that serve refugees on more than one occasion, for the safety of staff.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 20: “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.
travel_explore
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…
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.