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S Africa's Zuma to tour townships SA's Mbeki says riots a disgrace
(about 6 hours later)
The leader of South Africa's governing ANC is to visit some of the townships around Johannesburg hit by a wave of violence against foreigners. South African President Thabo Mbeki has condemned a wave of attacks on foreigners as an "absolute disgrace" that has blemished the country's name.
Jacob Zuma's move is part of attempts to stop the violence, in which at least 50 have been killed and 25,000 forced from their homes across the country. In a national radio and television address, he said the attacks were the worst acts of inhumanity South Africa had seen since the end of Apartheid.
Correspondents say this will be the highest-profile visit to areas where the trouble began almost two weeks ago. At least 50 people died and 25,000 fled their homes during the violence.
It comes amid criticism of President Thabo Mbeki's response to the crisis. Jacob Zuma, leader of the governing party, urged an end to attacks, on a visit to a Johannesburg township.
The African National Council (ANC) leader told a crowd of thousands in Springs township that violence would not solve problems of crime, poverty and unemployment, but make them worse.
President Mbeki has been criticised for his handling of the crisis.
'Failed policies''Failed policies'
The BBC's Peter Greste, in Johannesburg, says that apart from a promise to create an investigating committee to look into the problem and a brief statement to national radio on Saturday, Mr Mbeki has yet to publicly engage in the crisis. Mr Mbeki said the country risked being taken back to a past of violent conflict which no-one could afford.
SOUTH AFRICA Total population: 49mForeign population: 3-5mMajority from Zimbabwe, also Mozambique, NigeriaUnemployment rate: 30% How can S Africa end the violence?Tensions erupt in city of promiseSOUTH AFRICA Total population: 49mForeign population: 3-5mMajority from Zimbabwe, also Mozambique, NigeriaUnemployment rate: 30% How can S Africa end the violence?Tensions erupt in city of promise
One government critic, Moeletsi Mbeki - the president's own brother - said the government was unwilling to admit that the violence is the result of the failure of its own foreign and immigration policies. "This criminal violence has besmirched the image of South Africa," he said.
Earlier, Mr Mbeki promised to create an investigating committee to look into the problem.
One government critic, Moeletsi Mbeki - the president's own brother - has said the government is unwilling to admit that the violence is the result of the failure of its own foreign and immigration policies.
The troubles flared with a wave of attacks on foreigners in the township of Alexandra, within sight of some of Johannesburg's most expensive suburbs.The troubles flared with a wave of attacks on foreigners in the township of Alexandra, within sight of some of Johannesburg's most expensive suburbs.
They have since spread to seven of South Africa's nine provinces.They have since spread to seven of South Africa's nine provinces.
On Sunday police said 50 people were now believed to have been killed since the troubles began.On Sunday police said 50 people were now believed to have been killed since the troubles began.
Meanwhile, a Cape Town spokesman said at least 10,000 immigrants had fled to makeshift camps outside the south-western city alone.Meanwhile, a Cape Town spokesman said at least 10,000 immigrants had fled to makeshift camps outside the south-western city alone.
In Johannesburg, the ANC said delegations from the party's national executive committee - including Mr Zuma - were fanning out to community halls and stadia across the city in what it called a "programme of engagement" to stem the tide of violence. In Johannesburg, the ANC said delegations from the party's national executive committee were fanning out to community halls and stadia across the city in what it called a "programme of engagement" to stem the tide of violence.
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