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Mbeki condemns 'shameful' attacks Army could stop S Africa attacks
(about 2 hours later)
South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the "shameful and criminal" violence against foreigners that has left at least 22 dead. South African security ministers have been discussing using the army to help stop a wave of attacks on foreigners, which has left at least 22 dead.
Some 6,000 people, many of them Zimbabweans, have fled in the wave of violence directed at immigrants mainly around Johannesburg. The deployment of troops, which has been demanded by human rights groups and opposition, could not be ruled out, said a senior ruling party official.
Mr Mbeki said police would get "to the root of the anarchy". President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the "shameful and criminal" violence.
Mobs of South Africans have been roaming townships and central Johannesburg, looking for foreigners.
Some 13,000 people have sought refuge in police stations, churches and community halls.
There are believed to be between three and five million foreigners living in South Africa - most are Zimbabweans fleeing poverty and violence at home.
SOUTH AFRICA Foreign population: 3-5mMajority from Zimbabwe, also Mozambique, NigeriaTotal population: 49mUnemployment rate: 30% In pictures: Johannesburg violenceS Africa violence: Your storiesS Africa violence: Your commentsForeign attacks concern SA press
The attacks have spread to new areas in the Ekurhuleni region around Johannesburg, local official Zweli Dlamini told the BBC.
In the latest attacks, two people, believed to be miners from Mozambique, were beaten to death, reports South Africa's Independent Online website.
There have also been reports of attacks on South Africans from other parts of the country.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said that if the army was deployed, it would be to back up the police.
Police reinforcements have already been sent to the affected areas and President Mbeki said they would get "to the root of the anarchy".
On Monday, a coalition of human rights groups, called the attacks a "national emergency" and urged the government to "consider whether deployment of the military is not necessary at this stage".
The police say they have made another 40 arrests overnight, on top of the 200 in recent days.
Attacks 'orchestrated'
Mr Mantashe also said the ANC had held talks with the mainly Zulu opposition Inkatha Freedom Party and noted that most of the flashpoints had been in areas where the IFP had a presence.
The IFP has denied any links to the violence.
Some parts of Johannesburg resembled a war-zone
Bishop Paul Veryn, who runs the Central Methodist Church, where many foreigners have sought shelter and which was attacked over the weekend, said the attacks were "clearly orchestrated".
He told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the mobs appeared to know exactly where foreigners lived.
"That information would not be accessible if they did not have access to councillors, to people in authority."
He also blamed the poverty and massive inequality of wealth in South Africa for the violence.
Some South Africans say foreigners are taking jobs from locals and contributing to crime.
Up to three million Zimbabweans are thought to be in South Africa, having fled violence and poverty at home.Up to three million Zimbabweans are thought to be in South Africa, having fled violence and poverty at home.
Many have sought refuge in police stations, churches and community halls. Some Zimbabweans say they will go home, despite the political violence there, rather than face attacks in South Africa.
"If we go back into the streets, they're going to kill us there," one Zimbabwean man seeking sanctuary in a police station told the BBC.
'Sisters and brothers''Sisters and brothers'
Mr Mbeki said in a statement: "Citizens from other countries on the African continent and beyond are as human as we are and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity." But Mr Mbeki urged South Africans to welcome refugees.
SOUTH AFRICA Foreign population: 3-5mMajority from Zimbabwe, also Mozambique, NigeriaTotal population: 49mUnemployment rate: 30% class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7407572.stm">In pictures: Johannesburg violence class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7408367.stm">S Africa violence: Your stories class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/7409315.stm">S Africa violence: Your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7408320.stm">Foreign attacks concern SA press "Citizens from other countries on the African continent and beyond are as human as we are and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity."
He said more than 200 people had already been arrested, adding: "I am confident that the police will soon make significant breakthroughs in getting to the root of this anarchy."
He thanked members of the public and security forces who had helped the affected immigrants.
Police reinforcements have been sent to the affected areas and Johannesburg was quieter on Tuesday morning, says the BBC's Peter Biles in the city.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu echoed Mr Mbeki's call for the violence to stop.Archbishop Desmond Tutu echoed Mr Mbeki's call for the violence to stop.
"These are our sisters and brothers," he said."These are our sisters and brothers," he said.
Much of the violence is said to stem from anger at the lack of employment, housing and schools.
"This is a classic refugee situation," Rachel Cohen from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) told the BBC.
Burnt to death
Over the weekend, correspondents say central Johannesburg resembled a war-zone, as armed police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse angry crowds.
"If we go back into the streets, they're going to kill us there," one Zimbabwean man seeking sanctuary in a police station told the BBC. Advertisement
Scenes of violence on the streets of Johannesburg
Some Zimbabweans say they will go home, despite the political violence there, rather than face attacks in South Africa.
The front pages of several South African newspapers on Monday showed a horrific image of a man being burnt to death.
A church where about 1,000 Zimbabweans took refuge was attacked over the weekend.
Bishop Paul Veryn of the Central Methodist Church which was attacked told SABC radio: "We consider that the situation is getting so serious that the police can no longer control it."
He called for a state of emergency to be declared.
MSF spokesman Eric Goemaere said: "This reminds me of a refugee situation. I have treated bullet wounds, beaten people, rape victims, and the people are terrified."
The attacks on foreigners began a week ago in the township of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, before spreading to the city centre and across the Gauteng region.The attacks on foreigners began a week ago in the township of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, before spreading to the city centre and across the Gauteng region.
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