TARGETING FOREIGNERS: Xenophobia among Johannesburg’s police

Abstract

Several media and research studies have reported on police abuse and ill-treatment of undocumented foreigners in South Africa, concluding that xenophobia is a major problem in the SAPS. But how pervasive is xenophobia in the police? Where does it come from and what can be done about it? Based on a survey of police officials in the Johannesburg area, this article examines the phenomenon and attempts to provide some answers.