A South African woman has shared a disturbing account of how her family was allegedly attacked during ongoing anti-immigration protests, highlighting growing concerns over xenophobic violence in the country.
In a post circulating on social media, the woman described how a group of protesters reportedly broke into their home, destroyed their gate, and forcefully took her father away.
“They broke into our house, destroyed our gate, dragged my sister out of the shower naked, and took away my dad, calling him ‘kwerekwere,’” she recounted.
According to her, the attackers ignored their pleas as the family tried to explain their identity.
“We told them we are South Africans from the Tonga tribe. They said they didn’t care, that my dad is strong,” she added.
The term “kwerekwere” is widely regarded as a derogatory slur used against foreign nationals in South Africa, often during xenophobic incidents.
The woman’s account has sparked outrage online, with many calling for urgent intervention by authorities and stronger measures to protect citizens and residents from mob violence.
While details of the specific incident remain unverified, the story has reignited conversations around xenophobia, identity-based violence, and the safety of vulnerable communities during periods of social unrest.
South Africa has experienced repeated waves of anti-immigration protests over the years, some of which have escalated into violence, targeting both foreign nationals and, in some cases, citizens wrongly identified as outsiders.
Advocates have continued to call for increased public awareness, law enforcement action, and community dialogue to address the root causes of xenophobia and prevent further attacks.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident at the time of this report.
