“I’m Used to Bad Things Happening to Me”: The Victimisation of Low-Income Earning Foreign Nationals Living in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa hosts millions of foreign nationals who are often blamed for the country’s high crime rate, despite their victimisation being under-reported. Foreign nationals often settle for low-income jobs regardless of their qualifications or work experience. Consequently, these minority groups are vulnerable to victimisation due to their environment and circumstances. Thus, this study reflects on the victimisation of low-income earning foreign nationals living in Gauteng, South Africa. Through qualitative interviews, fifteen foreign nationals shared their experiences concerning their victimisation. Data were analysed thematically and interpreted through a radical victimological lens. The findings suggest that the participants’ origin stories set the context for their willingness to endure victimisation in South Africa. Moreover, some participants experienced xenophobia and crime victimisation such as robbery, sexual assault, and witnessing a xenophobic-motivated murder.

Keywords

• victimisation
• foreign nationals
• xenophobia
• migration
• low-income
• radical victimology