How many jobs have you created?' -Julius Malema challenges xenophobic attacks

Malema said this on Thursday during an event to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Collen Mashwana Foundation.

Recently, videos emerged of violent attacks against African immigrants in South Africa, particularly Ghanaians, Zimbabweans and Nigerians. Went viral on social media.

The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg said two Nigerians – Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew – were killed in rising xenophobic tensions.

Speaking during the event, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Malema challenged criminals who attack foreigners and close their businesses to tell them how many jobs they have created in South Africa.

The opposition politician said citizens with no skills are claiming that foreigners took their jobs in South Africa.

Malema said he did not want the votes of those who attack foreigners or expect them to share in their hatred.

“I want to talk about the xenophobia and Afrophobia that we're dealing with here in South Africa today,” he said.

“I want to challenge you who say ‘Zimbabweans take your jobs, Nigerians take your jobs’ and you march, close shops and beat up people. After doing that tell us how many jobs have you created?

“You beat up people because they took away jobs. You closed a show that employed five people and you say they took away our jobs. After closing that shop, how many jobs have you created?

“Unskilled people, who have no skills, say someone took their jobs. The only skill they know is drinking and I want to pretend like revolutionaries.

“I don't want your votes. If you behave like that, take them. I don't want votes that tell me I must hate Africans for you to vote for me. I would never do that.”