Background:

Violent service delivery protests are a recurring phenomenon in South Africa. The causes of this phenomenon are elusive, precisely because the spheres of government are structured in such a way that they are aimed at reaching to the masses of the Republic. One of the spheres of government that is aimed at reaching out to the people in a more convenient and effective way is the local government, composed of various municipalities. The local municipality is tasked to deliver basic services to the people such as, clean water and sanitation, collection of rubbish bins etc. Despite the fact that the municipality has to deliver basic services to the people, they is a theatre of power contestation from various factions in the African National Congress (ANC) which is a ruling party. Thus making it difficult for those elected to deliver impartially to all in the society. It therefore means the incapacity of the municipality to deliver services to the people is a relative failure on the part of the government and those deployed to the municipal offices; and they have to be held accountable for this failure either by their constituency or their political parties. This study is a response to the appeals for comprehensive empirical research on understanding the violent service delivery protests in South Africa. It seeks to advice the authorities on how to best respond to this challenge and consequently limit or eliminate xenophobic attitudes towards foreign nationals by South Africans during these protests.

Research Problem:

As South Africans demonstrate their dissatisfaction about the lack of service delivery, they engage on other criminal activities. At the centre of violent service delivery protests is the violence meted out on the foreign nationals and looting of their shops.

Aims:

Establish the link between violent service delivery protests and xenophobia.

Methodology:

The fieldwork study was conducted in the Gauteng province, because it has registered a steady increase in the widespread of violent service delivery protests, particularly in Bekkersdal and Alexandra. Alexandra is a township that first saw the emergence of widespread xenophobic attacks in 2008. The study covered general attitudes of South Africans towards foreign nationals, particularly of African descent, this was done at various levels of the communities. This study employed a case study research design, which helped to establish the link between two variables in both townships. Central answers of this study were sought from people of various standing in the communities, the leaders of political parties, municipal officials, South African Local Govemment Association (SALGA) officials, and members of the communities. The sample method used in this study was purposive sampling. The data gathered was analysed through content analysis.

Findings:

Apparently what sparked xenophobic attacks in Alexandra was the fight between South African and Zimbabwean fellows. Zimbabwean fellows outnumbered a South African and killed him, then the community joined the fight on the side of the South African fellow. The fight escalated to what we know today as xenophobic attacks. It was discovered that there is a gap between the local leadership and the community. Councillors hardly call ward meetings to brief and consult the community about the developments taking place. There is no consultation with regards to the draft and implementation of the Integrated Development Plan. The researcher discovered from the interviews with the community members that the success of delivery of services in the nearby township of Mohlakeng which falls under the Greater Westonaria Municipality has influenced the outbreak of the …