Editorial: A war that is random

In the wake of xenophobic attacks and violence in South Africa, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) leaders in this country are worried, and vociferously voiced out that they greatly despise the violence – which is based merely on hate.

This is in fact the sentiment shared by most South Africans, and the world.

These sordid attacks are deemed by political scientists to be sprawling into any circle so long there’s fear and animosity among the locals and rather the mainstream community towards other individuals.

It’s not surprising for the LGBTI individuals to voice it out or protest against xenophobia inasmuch as there’s already some crimes and attacks, though sporadic, towards gay people as a result of hate or what is commonly known as homophobia.

It’s bad and very ugly as the attacks are suspected to be fuelled by a ‘third force party’, which its intention is to rid off any person who seems to be different or not in support of the group. Fear is that homosexuals in South Africa – including both lesbians and gay men – are being targeted and already attacked where we witnessed several lesbians’ murders and gay men’s assaults.

Rumour has it that the attacks, at some point, are swiftly shifting towards ethnicity where it is believed that Tsongas, Vendas and Sothos are being bullied and tormented as well. Who knows if these attacks could also shift towards the LGBTI community in the country – worse could be when one is foreign and gay.

But I trust that the entire South African society and government are trying enough to curb future attacks of whatsoever. South Africa is a free country with the constitution protecting the rights of everyone living in it, therefore all the citizens must cherish that and to live in harmony while respecting the rights of all neighbours and families.

We can’t afford further attacks to innocent people.