A government official said that anger driving xenophobic attacks in South Africa comes from the country's own economic problems. He suggested that people inside the country are more upset about their own situation than about foreigners.
The official explained that many Africans who move to South Africa do so to contribute to the economy. They are not there to take jobs from South African citizens.
He made these remarks to explain the root causes of the violence. The attacks have often targeted foreign nationals living in South Africa.
He stressed that the focus should be on solving internal economic challenges. Addressing these issues could help reduce the anger that leads to such attacks.