Chanting and singing, machete-armed residents burned down
shops owned by foreigners, including a Nigerian dealership in the nation's
largest city.
Immigrants carrying bricks accused police of not doing enough
to protect them as businesses smoldered.
Six people killed
Violence targeting immigrant shops started recently in the
port city of Durban, where two foreigners and three South Africans were killed.
Residents have accused African immigrants of taking their jobs and committing
crimes. The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25%, according to government
figures.
A sixth death occurred Wednesday. The body of a 58-year-old
man was found in the town of Verulam, where a mob attacked the foreign national
at his home. The man fled and died of his injuries near his home, South African
police said.
At least 112 people have been arrested throughout
KwaZulu-Natal Province for various offenses related to the violence, police
said.
President Jacob Zuma slammed the assertion, saying his
government is addressing social and economic issues brought up by citizens. He
said immigrants contribute to the nation's economy while others bring scarce
skills.
"While some foreign nationals have been arrested for
various crimes, it is misleading and wrong to label or regard all foreign
nationals as being involved in crime in the country," Zuma said.
As the violence spread to other cities, terrified immigrants
sought a resolution. Others fled, taking refuge at police stations in major
cities.
"They are using this as scapegoats," said
Jean-Pierre Lukamba, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"Every day, migrants are living in this fire. It's not
just attacks. It's institutionalized xenophobia. The government must do
something. Those people aren't just mad for no reason. They want electricity,
they want jobs, and they want water."
'They don't understand
the history of Africa'
Lukamba said he's part of an organization trying to negotiate
between the two sides.
"They don't understand the history of Africa; if they do,
they would know each of us, we are one," he said.
Thousands fled to temporary shelters, with aid group Gift of
the Givers saying about 8,500 people are hiding in refugee centers or police
stations this week because of the violence. The number did not include those
who have moved in with friends or relatives.
The aid group said it has a facility in Johannesburg to help
those who might need shelter.
"There has been an outpouring of support from ordinary
South Africans who are disgusted with the attacks not only because they are
foreign, or African, but because they are fellow human beings," Gift of
the Givers said.
"We are preparing aid packages for those who may journey
onwards to their home countries."
Police ordered to work around the clock
Though Zuma has condemned the attacks and appealed for calm,
the violence spread from Durban to Johannesburg.
"No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the
attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops," he said.
"The attacks violate all the values that South Africa embodies, especially
the respect for human life."
Zuma said he has ordered police to work around the clock to
protect citizens and immigrants, and arrest the perpetrators.
In the past, Johannesburg has been the epicenter of
anti-immigrant tensions.
In 2008, dozens were killed in attacks in the poorest areas
of Johannesburg. Most of the victims were Zimbabweans who had fled repression
and dire economic circumstances. In those attacks, police arrested more than
200 people on various charges, including rape, murder, robbery and theft.
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