Xenophobia and crime : foreign nationals awaiting trial in a South African prison
The recent spate of crimes, allegedly committed by foreign nationals in South Africa, has prompted some South Africans to blame crime in general on foreign migrants. Drawing on annual statistical analysis of inmates within South African prisons conducted by the Department of Correctional Services, this research reflects on the increase of foreign nationals in South African Prisons since 2005. Furthermore, media reports, namely newspapers, television and radio, have alluded to the increase in the levels of xenophobia among many South Africans. In this research, interviews were conducted with prison officials and awaiting-trial foreign national prisoners at Medium A, Westville Prison, Durban, South Africa. Against the background of overcrowded prison conditions, the violence that emerges from South African society and the dearth of proper statistics, the question solicited is: Are these claims of crimes committed by foreigners in South Africa true or mere speculation? The findings of this research indicate that some foreign nationals do commit crime in contrast to the myth that most foreign nationals are offenders. The experiences of awaiting-trial foreign national detainees are documented in order to add their voices to the debate on crime, migration and xenophobia in South Africa.
‘The Scarlet Letter F’: Foreign Nationals Struggle for Inclusion in South Africa and Against Hate Crimes
the “xenophobia is based on existing racist, ethnic, religious, cultural or national prejudice, a xenophobic attack is a result of human nature Abstract ‘Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrica’-God bless Africa, ‘O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho’-end all wars and tribulations. South Africa’s national anthem venerates all of Africa in its very first verse, the anthem dispels attitudes of war and disunion, yet South Africa still closes its doors to foreign nationals, particularly foreign nationals from other African countries. The South African constitution has been designed to uphold equal rights, freedom, fairness, and righteousness, however the implementation of these rights and responsibilities has been meagre. Xenophobia in South Africa remains a constant and grave problem. Xenophobic sentiments have been fuelled by stereotypes supported by false assumptions which stem from political leaders, media reports and feelings of entitlement. Foreign nationals are subject to hate crimes and are excluded due to the stereotypes levelled against them and are subsequently victimized. This treatise aims to create awareness about the extent of ill-treatment that foreign nationals face once they enter into the country, the research is meant to highlight the two leading stereotypes levelled against foreign nationals, namely, the assumption that foreign nationals are responsible for the high crime rates and level of unemployment in the country and how hate crimes against foreign nationals have been consistently rising due to negative, false perceptions. Xenophobic sentiments are unpacked in this study, it is hoped that this research and particularly the research findings will be informative and will encourage responsiveness to the beginning of the end of xenophobia.
The role of HIV knowledge on HIV‐related behaviours: a hierarchical analysis of adults in Trinidad
The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of HIV knowledge on HIV‐related behaviours by developing an exploratory model based on social‐psychological theories of behaviour change. Data were analyzed from 1,351 male and female adults, both married and single, from Trinidad using hierarchical logistic regression. Higher levels of formal education were associated with higher levels of HIV knowledge while HIV knowledge was associated with concern about personal risk of HIV. HIV knowledge was also associated with both communicating with sex partners about HIV and condom possession as persons with higher levels of knowledge were more likely to talk to partners and to possess condoms. While HIV knowledge did not emerge as having a direct association with consistent condom use, both communication and condom possession (which are associated with HIV knowledge) did. The results suggest those HIV prevention programmes employing a poly‐theoretical approach could be effective in increasing talking about safer sex, possessing condoms and ultimately using condoms consistently.