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South Africa attacks reach Durban SA leader orders army to deploy
(about 1 hour later)
Violence against foreigners in South Africa has spread outside Johannesburg to the port city of Durban. South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has approved the deployment of the army to quell violence against foreigners.
Police say a group armed with stones and bottles had threatened Nigerians and damaged their property overnight. The announcement from his office came after xenophobic attacks spread outside Johannesburg to the city of Durban.
It prompted about 700 African migrants to seek refuge in a nearby church while in Cape Town a safety forum has been set up to try to prevent violence. Police say a group armed with sticks and bottles attacked Nigerians drinking in a tavern overnight.
In Johannesburg, where the attacks began a week ago, police fired rubber bullets to disperse mobs in one area. The violence, which began last week, has left more than 20 people dead and is estimated to have driven 30,000 people from their homes.
At least 23 people have been killed, and ministers have been discussing using troops to quell the violence. The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation says many of the people were sheltering in mosques and churches around Johannesburg.
It appeared to have subsided by Wednesday morning, but correspondents say thousands of displaced African migrants are living in deteriorating conditions.
Mobs of South Africans roam townshipsMobs of South Africans roam townships
The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation estimates that at least 30,000 have been displaced around Johannesburg.
There are believed to be between three and five million foreigners living in South Africa, most of them Zimbabweans fleeing poverty and violence at home.There are believed to be between three and five million foreigners living in South Africa, most of them Zimbabweans fleeing poverty and violence at home.
African National Congress (ANC) ruling party leader Jacob Zuma said the army could be brought in to contain the situation. The Durban attack prompted about 700 African migrants to seek refuge in a nearby church while in Cape Town a safety forum has been set up to try to prevent violence.
"I would not rule out [bringing in the army] because we need to take the measures that are going to help us stop the violence," he told the BBC World Service. In Johannesburg, police fired rubber bullets to disperse mobs in one area on Tuesday.
'Political''Political'
There are fears that politicians are exploiting the situation in Durban. 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 There are fears that politicians are exploiting the situation in Durban.
SOUTH AFRICA Foreign population: 3-5mMajority from Zimbabwe, also Mozambique, NigeriaTotal population: 49mUnemployment rate: 30% In pictures: Johannesburg violenceS Africa violence: Your stories
"A mob of plus/minus 200 were gathering on the streets carrying bottles and knobkerries (wooden clubs) busy attacking people on the streets," Provincial police spokeswoman Superintendent Phindile Radebe told AFP news agency."A mob of plus/minus 200 were gathering on the streets carrying bottles and knobkerries (wooden clubs) busy attacking people on the streets," Provincial police spokeswoman Superintendent Phindile Radebe told AFP news agency.
"They attacked one of the taverns there believed to be owned by Nigerians," she said."They attacked one of the taverns there believed to be owned by Nigerians," she said.
But KwaZulu-Natal's Community Safety Minister Bheki Cele said the violence in Durban was political, blaming Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party members of being behind it. KwaZulu-Natal's Community Safety Minister Bheki Cele blamed Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party members for being behind the Durban violence.
"These are purely criminal activities and they will be dealt with decisively in ensuring that xenophobic attacks are not used as scapegoats for criminals who want to serve their own selfish interests," he said in a statement."These are purely criminal activities and they will be dealt with decisively in ensuring that xenophobic attacks are not used as scapegoats for criminals who want to serve their own selfish interests," he said in a statement.
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.
Mobs have been roaming townships looking for foreigners, many of whom have sought refuge in police stations, churches and community halls.Mobs have been roaming townships looking for foreigners, many of whom have sought refuge in police stations, churches and community halls.
Some South Africans say foreigners are taking jobs from locals and contributing to crime.Some South Africans say foreigners are taking jobs from locals and contributing to crime.
President Thabo Mbeki has urged South Africans to welcome foreigners. Earlier, President Mbeki urged South Africans to welcome foreigners.
He has said that extra police sent to the affected areas would get "to the root of the anarchy".
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