Johannesburg-Photographer James Oatway captured a violent attack that resulted in death of a Mozambican in South Africa.He checked the series of stills on his camera. It was then that photographer James Oatway realized the entire attack had taken less than two minutes.
It was the morning after a night of unrest in Johannesburg’s Alexandra Township that saw foreign-owned shops looted and destroyed.
Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole was walking down a street when four South Africans surrounded him. Sithole pleaded for mercy, but it was already too late. The attackers bludgeoned him with a wrench, stabbed him with knives, all in broad daylight. And Oatway had captured it all on his camera.
“They looked like hardened thugs, just by their intensity, the way they moved, the expressions on their faces,” Oatway told CNN. “They wanted one thing and that was to kill Emmanuel. They wanted his blood and nothing was going to stop them from doing that.”
Oatway says he tried to get as close as possible, conscious that the attackers were aware of his presence. “When the attack started I was 20 meters (65 feet) away, but at one point I was 4 or 5 meters away,” he said. “I did think that maybe they would leave him alone.”
Dazed, shocked
The attackers finally did move on and leave Sithole alone. Oatway and his fellow journalist Beauregard Tromp quickly put the injured man in the back of the car and rushed him to a hospital, where he later died.
“I still remember him looking straight into my eyes,” said Oatway. “He had a kind of a dazed, shocked look in his face.”
Oatway’s series of images of the ordeal landed on the front page of South Africa’s Sunday Times under the headline, “Kill thy neighbor: Alex attack brings home SA’s shame.”
It’s a shame that South Africa continues to confront. Seven people have been killed in the latest round of xenophobic violence against poorer immigrants, many from South Africa’s neighbors.
Xenophobic attacks: How did we get here?
Local media alleged that the attacks were a consequence of Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini reportedly saying at a recent gathering that foreigners “should pack their bags and go” because they are taking jobs from citizens.
Shortly after his reported comments, violence against immigrants erupted in the port city of Durban.
But on Monday, Zwelithini said he had not called for a war on immigrants. “This war I am calling for today is to protect everyone of foreign origin in this country irrespective of which country they are from.”
The United Nations said the attacks actually began in March after a labor dispute between citizens and foreign workers.
But it was Oatway’s photos of the violent attack on Sithole that have seemingly encapsulated the true horror of the situation — and South Africa’s leaders have begun to take notice.
“Terrible picture. People who live in rough townships have never seen such a scene,” said President Jacob Zuma about the photos in a televised news conference. “And I was sitting and I was saying to myself, what are we telling the world about ourselves?”
Police announced they’ve now arrested all four suspects — the last caught overnight Tuesday — with help from Oatway’s photos, which is little solace for the photographer who captured a level of depravity rarely seen.
“I’m sickened by it,” said Oatway. “And I’m extremely angry, angry with the men that did this, and ultimately I’m upset that our efforts weren’t successful in saving Emmanuel’s life.”
Source: CNN
My heart just dropped at seeing the images on CNN…..In broad daylight and people were just watching?? What manner of animals are these? And also disturbing is Jacob Zuma’s response People who live in rough townships have never seen such a scene,” said President Jacob Zuma ..who is he kidding? This is the norm in south african townships.Thats why the south africans were happy to just watch the scene unfold and not offer any help.They think it’s normal.Had this happened anywhere else in Africa those four men would have been lynched.Africa needs to stand up to this South African brutality!Enough is enough! I’m so angry!!!!!!
see the other photos on watchdog. its shame. using those blades on your friend. Shame shame and shame.
Its one life – not 2
People drowned crossed the mediterranean sea-and?
Stop your crocodile tears !
I thought as Christians you believe in- it was meant to be or when death arrives you cant do anything about it? So why did you want to do something about it’
Hypocrites
It is their country- You zambians must also ask why Asians run your country- Grow up!!
Thanks
Bb2014
Disheartening & disgusting behavior indeed. Pathetic South Africans, Nelson Mandela is vigorously turning around in his grave. Shame on South Africans.
In anticipation of this disgusting behavior, Zambian leadership is so sheepish & useless. When we say educate your citizens & develop health services so that people like Lungu, Nsanda , Sata & many more scratching, would not depend upon South African hospitals. Alas, all are mute, Kambwili even yapped that the Zambian gov’t can’t do anything about the xenophobia in SA can be considered shallow. Kambwili & visionless PF, tell that dictator Mugabe as chairman of AU & Sadc to impose sanctions on the backwards South African states. Wakeup PF! Shame South Africa.
Skeleton Key
~206~
“History is a clock that people use to tell their political and culture time of day.It is also a campus that people use to find themselves on a map of human geography.History tells a people where they have been, what they have been, where they are and what they are.Most importantly history tells a people where they still must go, what they still must be.The relationship of history to the people is the same as the relationship of a mother to her child” – John Henrik Clarke.
Our brothers and sisters in south Africa have forgotten history.They would rather call their fellow African a foreigner and leave the whites without any such label;the same whites who not so long ago had his boots on their necks.
I feel sad for all my people.We have forgotten who we truly are.we are a damaged pipo
Be careful also, what these white journalists write mwebantu. Ati, “I still remember him looking straight into my eyes. He had a kind of a dazed, shocked look in his face.” The white journalist is trying to tell you subconsciously that in his last moments, Sithole felt it ironical that within the south african economical and social construct, a white man, perceived the enemy, is the one who is trying to save his life. A life which was endangered by a fellow africa, perceived to be a brother.
“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing” – Malcolm X.
I dont support the actions of the xenophobic attacks, but let us not let in other people to comment/judge on our affairs as africans.
It is a shame to even think of it that we allowed freedom fighters from SA to stay in our country. Shame to Thabo Mbeki and his colleagues who had a free and good time here in Zambia.
Ba Zagaze
Typical of an ***** you can’t appreciate what is right before you.How do you start talking about racism and the like?This issue is about black on black violence perpetrated by pipo who not long ago where victims of segregation.It sadly leads some of us to conclude that maybe the white man had a good reason for treating South Africans like the dogs they have proved to be.
The four Killers have been arrested and will appear in Alexandria Mejastrate court today for murder,
One wonders if at all these murderers would have been caught if the sunday times photographer did not take those pictures that we have seen all over in the media.
The people in south Africa do not report their neighbours to the authorities easily even if they know that their neighbor committed an offence like murder.
Thanks to the cameraman for being brave.
They will be soon out on bail and probably be freed by next year.
The Apatheid struggle mentality of killing each other with pangas and Knives is still in these South Africans,
Remember Buthelezis men in KZN killing Mandelas Sothos just before independence in 1994?
Everyone is a foreigner somewhere!! I absolutely agree with this way of thinking.
What happens when the 3 war breaks? Which countries will be mostly affected? (Don’t answer that the whole world because not whole the world was involved in the 2 world war).
Time will tell.
May the souls of these people rest in peace.
So how do they know one is a foreigner without knowing him, seeing his ID or even talking to him? Interestingly, the people who have so far been killed are 1 Zimbabwean, 1 Ethiopian, 2 Mozambicans and 3 South Africans.
@4.1 Ricky Bobby,
The answer to your question is: They identify their victims by their complexions. The darker one is the higher the risk. It is for this reason that some dark complexioned South Africans such as the Vendas and Shanganis are sometimes mistaken for foreigners and are attacked.
Let us hope that the attacks will be brought under control now that the army has been brought in to help the police.
Something similar is happening in Zambia in the name of TRIBALISM perpetuated by PF Bemba led groups using pangas to win elections and intimidating people. Shame on those who feel Zambia belongs to them and no any other person should take part in politics. We are siting on a time bomb in Zambia. Elections have lost meaning as it has been turned into a tribal head count of who are the majority, no qualities are looked at when electing leaders. Even Chakolwas and thieves are elected to the highest office in the land with impunity.
There you go again. Bemba this Bemba that Why?
what are you doing about your complaint? you anger wont take you anywhere unless if u act to make things better. We Zambians don’t care who leads us as long as there is peace. Pf nor UPND are not tribal parties. Its you with wrong perceptions that always think in those lines. HH is doing fine in bemba regions and no doubt about that. If you analyse the voting pattern well, you will realise that other tribes are more tribal than the Bembas you hurt.
@SIDO MARK, it is really shocking that someone who is supposed to be enlightened can come up with such an ignorant statement. Do your research before you spew your hatred for God’s sake!
Zambia chose democracy and democracy is about numbers. So as long as people think with their tribes I am afraid the situation wont change any time soon. That is why we could even end up with useless chaps like Sata as president. We are even better off now atleast we have somebody you can reason with. That is the down side of democracy, the majority wins!!!!! and if that majority is made up of illiterate people, they still carry the day!
@SIDOMARK,how pangas were used in the recently held by-elections which UPND failed to win? Continue insulting Bembas and see how popular you will become! In fact as @Kays has put it you can see that your UPND gets more votes outside Southern Province than other parties do in that province and yet you have the audacity of abusing those you can work with to realise your dream! Keep it up! The same Bembas you are insulting just voted in Edgar Lungu and did so for Levy and will it for anyone they feel identifies with them in meeting their needs. It is now becoming clear that it is not a matter of complaining or dissatisfaction but sheer hatred for one ethnic group (Bembas). They will do their best to avoid annihilation by voting for those that can look after them regardless of ethnicity!
petty minded sidomark
KING SWELZINI of the Zulus must be arrested and sent to the HAGUE ICC for crimes against HUMANITY. His announcement on radio that all foreigners must leave Kwazulu sparked off this violence.
@Ndaje Kahks lets start with Lungu who was calling others as Cow headers .Lets arrest all those PF vigilantes then Zambia will be safe why call for solutions in SA when in Zambia people are being killed in the name of politics. Stop hypocrisy lets face the truth. Laura Mitti was arrest for staging one person protest yesterday by PF police ,but when PF cadres match in Cairo road nothing happens. Zambia sucks.
@6.1 SIDO MARK.
Don’t be foolish. We are here talking sense you want to spread hatred. Just continue washing old whites wherever you are overseas. Just go drown in the Mediterranean Sea
this is an interesting angle of argument. We need some NGO to followup this angle of viewing this trouble maker. The International Court should be brought into picture to try this king. Note that he does not deserve the capital K in his title. He is an animal himself.
Zimbabweans and Mozambicans are the waste culprit ,this is what happens in a country when its economy has been run down because of voting for useless leaders like Mugabe in the name of Shona. Lets see if they will continue to eat Shona. They are now slaves in south Africa, being killed like Dogs. Zambians lets wake up ,the economy comes first. Lets secure our economy and less of our brothers and sisters will even think to go a broad un less for studies and holidays.
Iwe @ sido mark stop exposing yo foolishness, *****.
This is unbelievable, that’s why every man has to learn self defence to a high degree and carry personal weapons like a knife or gun. Fight back! Don’t panick, just slit their throats and proceed, we live in a dangerous world in which talking and neighbous watching wont save you, must rely on youself, must prepare for such. Those things can happen to you in compounds at night in Zambia, this is just extreme version. South African blacks are animals, pity the muzungu didn’t just wipe all of them out. Shame.
Animals are decent people. Please!
When was the last time you heard that lions in Manapools National Park were fighting lions from Lower Zambezi National Park? Not a single day. But the Goba’s are constantly harassed based only on suspicion that they are Zimbabweans.
Just in case you are not familiar with the locale, Manapools is separated from Lower Zambezi by the river. Animals cross the Zambezi, back and forth, in what you would call a very spectacular ceremony. No passports, no visas, no language check, nothing!
south africans must killing people,here in zambia we have so many south africans shops like pick and pay shoprite, fnb bank .shame on you south africans bad people bad country.
Mushota ndiwe tuvi. Anso Mushombo from a chibuku and kashasu drunkard. You stink!! Sis man!! Eeiu!!! I have even pucked on my keyboard.,
In zambia we have our own local xenophobia and I see no reason why Zambians should contribute to blaming South Africans. Just in the Civil Service of Zambia you are talking about one tribe in this service. You are talking about people running the Government currently, they all come from one part of the country, what if others rise agaist them…it would be a disaster.We kill each other based on the party you belong to and most of our political parties are regional, to me this is a simmering pot for Zambia. Already one part of the country is opting out of the country and to me this means a lot. Zambians should remove the logs in their eyes before they start blaming South Africa. Politicians use slogan “one Zambia One Nation”this is useless when others do not fully participate. this must…
Foolish comment, think before posting anything, maggot.
Rasco – you certainly have a demented understanding of Xenophobia
People with small minds will always resort to using unpalatable language. Does it itch when you have not used unpalatable language. Tell me you are street boys and I will understand. Let us not downgrade our culture by using abusive language. No idle word will go unpunished by God. Do not think you will be heard better when you use foul language. No, No, No
The article is talking about the unwarranted attacks in SA. How do those references to people here at Home come in. This ka culture should not take a foothold in Mother Zambia. We beg. The love for one another we used to see in ourselves is slowly beginning to diminish.
One Zambia, One Nation.
There is a special place in hell for South African murderers. Repent or perish. What a shame of a nation.
No thanks….i will NEVER step my foot in South Africa NEVER NEVER AGAIN
” I would rather be beaten and suffer in my home country than be killed like a dog in South Africa” Moses Sibanda Zimbabwean immigrant to RSA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Reminds me of our own PF panga boys.
@Sido Mark, you are surely a disgrace, nincompoop I may suggest. What has this article got to do with the leadership in Zambia? And what is this BEMBA issue got to do with the politics in Zambia? This article is all about the Xenophobic killing in South Africa and not about Bembas. People like u can truly ignite fire in our peaceful and beloved Zambia. If you ever think your man will rule Zambia, you have a sky to climb.
@Chikamoneka I still maintain my position that there is a form of xenophobia in Zambia called tribalism perpetrated by so called majority and powerful tribes. Who can call other people Cow headers, Ngombe ilede, Bantustan many names even on National media such as ZNBC. They have shared all important positions in the country and you expect us to keep quite.I come from mixed marriages’ and it pains me to see people from my mother’s tribe being marginalized all because of tribe.no matter how educated they are they are always looked at as second class citizen. If one was born Bemba no matter how useless he or she is ,feels to be more superior to others. We need to realize that we are all equal in the eyes of God.
@@Chikamoneka
Your last line validates SIDOMARK’s argument.
The genesis of SIDOMARK’s feeling of exclusion emanates from lines such as yours. His observations only serve as examples.
These monsters have become wild beasts! Killing a fellow human being just like that! We shall wait to see how the government of South Africa will handle this issue.
Back in Zambia for the seven juveniles that were apprehended in Lusaka, I think yesterday, claiming to be Boko Haram should just be slaughtered to avoid further animalism in Zambia. It starts small once the trend gets imbedded in society, it will becomes difficult to eradicate! No human rights because those chaps willingly decided to terminate life of innocent individuals.
The shame of it all.
In the 1980s and early 90s, people from Europe to the US were holding fundraising concerts for these same ungrateful murderers.
I was one of them. I hosted refugees and planned the display of the Casper across the land. It really is a shame.
MADIBA must be turning in his grave!
South Africans should remember that a lot of countries sacrificed for the peace they (South Africans) are boasting about today. There was a lot of suffering and loss of life for their sake! How come today they can be so brutal and start killing others like chickens! Shame upon them. We are one though living in various parts of Africa. Let them realize that South Africa cannot exist in isolation no matter how rich it is.
Mark Sido, Am sure you are not normal.
@Mushota you are an as*s*h*o*l*e. Tissue paper is not meant for you but a tire or sandpaper. What a d*i*c*k !!!
One way of catching these murderers is putting out a ransom. $2,000 for anyone with information of these killings and a detailed report of what the person looks like and how the event unfolded. You will see what’s going to transpire. People will even say what kind of weapon was used, where it is hidden or disposed of. Money can make people do things they never knew they could. We all owe a duty of care.