Bishop on Anti-Foreigner Violence

'It Is a Disgrace to Be a South African'

Attacks against foreigners have been rampant in South Africa in recent weeks. SPIEGEL spoke with Johannesburg Bishop Paul Verryn, 56, about xenophobia among the political elite and why World Cup fans might want to re-think a trip to South Africa for the 2010 tournament.

SPIEGEL: Bishop Verry, for days hundreds of people from Zimbabwe and Malawi have sought shelter in your church from anti-immigrant mobs. What is behind the bloody attacks?

Paul Verryn: There are a number of different reasons. In the past, politicians and the media have painted a very negative image of foreigners, even branding them "illegal foreigners." Newspapers often emphasize when, for example, someone from Malawi was involved in a crime. That has fuelled prejudice. The deep division between rich and poor in our country has made things worse.

SPIEGEL: Why did the hate boil over simultaneously across the country?

PAUL VERRYN

Bishop Paul Verryn, 56, is a bishop with the Methodist Church of South Africa and a minister in Johannesburg. His church has long focused on helping the homeless in South Africa and is currently offering shelter to several hundred immigrants.

Verryn: There have been attacks on foreigners before, just not as many. I think that the recent attacks were organized and planned very carefully. Politicians as well as local officials are behind them.

SPIEGEL: Can that be proved?

Verryn: Witnesses to the attacks have come to me and poured their hearts out. According to them, the secret service knew as early as four months ago that violence was brewing -- but the government did nothing.

SPIEGEL: What interest can the government possibly have in such pogroms?

Verryn: Hate is one reason. We still haven't left our history of apartheid behind us. Back then, hate was focused on entire groups in our society, especially on blacks, and was institutionalized. The attacks are likely supposed to prove that too many foreigners destabilize order in our country.

SPIEGEL: What needs to happen for the horror to be brought to an end?

Verryn: First of all, the police and the army have to be much more active. All political leaders must also clearly condemn the violence. And we need to apologize to neighboring countries for how we have treated their citizens. At the moment, it is a disgrace to be a South African. A number of Germans must have felt the same during World War II.

SPIEGEL: South Africa is going to play host to the World Cup soccer championships in 2010. Should foreign fans be afraid?

Verryn: Yes, if this is how our country treats foreigners. Everyone who wants to come should give it a second thought.

Interview conducted by Jan Puhl