Cops 'stretched'

2008-05-20 10:06

Durban - South African Human Rights Commission chairperson Jody Kollapen on Monday warned that police might be "stretched" in dealing with xenophobic attacks in Gauteng, which had left 22 people dead and up to 10 000 seeking refuge in shelters.

Kollapen, speaking in Durban at a pre-launch event of the Durban Press Club at the International Convention Centre, said the government might have to seriously consider bringing in the army.

"My understanding is that the police are stretched," he said, but warned that "calling in the army has all kinds of implications".

Without some kind of resolution of the conflict, South Africans could take scant comfort from the images being presented in the media.

"We need to be careful. These things spread so easily to other communities."

Africa 'viewed' in a negative light

Kollapen expressed concern that while police focused resources on the affected communities, those that had as of yet not been affected could find themselves without protection.

Asked if the attacks were being orchestrated, he said that he was not aware that there was intelligence pointing to that fact.

He believed the attacks were more "copy cat" in nature and had been brought about because "the level of resentment towards foreigners is quite high".

Kollapen said that South Africans viewed that which came from outside the continent in a positive light, while Africa was viewed in a negative light.

"You haven't seen any attacks on Bulgarians, have you?" He questioned the role of the media prior to the events that brought Gauteng into the international spotlight.

"By and large the media has portrayed immigration in a negative light," he said, citing various headlines.

Media tribunal

He said: "What effect does this have on the psyche?" he asked.

He was of the opinion that the media had not analysed the "social context" in which the attacks had taken place.

The media "must take a hard look at xenophobia". It should consider the role it had played leading up to the attacks.

Kollapen added that he did not believe the creation of a media tribunal, as was recommended by the ANC's Polokwane congress last year, would address concerns about the media.

He said he was in favour of the retaining the current system of a Press Ombudsman, but with expanded powers. At the moment the Ombudsman, Joe Thloloe, could only react to complaints.

"It should have powers that make it more proactive," Kollapen said.

- SAPA