A community in Silversands thought they were witnessing a xenophobic attack earlier today (18 June), but it now seems it was just a cultural activity.

‘Attack’

Worried community members contacted TygerBurger, claiming that men in traditional African attire were waiting for foreign-born children to leave school so that they could be attacked. The men were allegedly close to Fairdale High School.

The scared community members claimed that the would-be ‘attackers’ were armed with knobkerries and other sharp objects.

South Africa has recently been plagued by xenophobic violence, with foreigners being attacked for being in the country. Many have left South Africa to return to their home countries for fear of their lives.

It is not clear how the rumour started, but one resident of Silversands took his domestic worker, who hails from Zimbabwe, home because he feared for her life. When TygerBurger arrived at the scene, the commotion had died down.

Circumcision

The Western Cape Education Department was approached for comment. Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson, said it had not received any information to suggest that there had been any incident relating to foreign nationals in the community or at the school. “It appears that what may have been observed is a celebration of community members (who had traditional knobkerries) regarding a traditional ceremony associated with preparations for initiation and circumcision within the community. This was not school related,” said Hammond.

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