Xenophobic violence, which has erupted across Durban’s townships over the past few days, is being blamed for the death of nine people. The violence followed reported remarks by Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini that foreigners should “pack their bags and go home”.
The violence began shortly after remarks were made by prominent local leaders King Zwelithini and South African president Jacob Zuma’s eldest son, Edward. Both reportedly called for all undocumented foreigners to go home.
King Zwelithini has subsequently said his remarks were misinterpreted and that foreigners should not be attacked and driven out of South Africa.
Undocumented foreigners are often blamed for much of the crime in townships, and they are also seen as competition for scant resources in these predominately poor areas.
The situation, which South Africans fear could get out of control, prompted the national government to roll out a range of security measures to stop the attacks that are primarily aimed at Africans.
Diplomats meet
Home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba and KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu met diplomats from Nigeria, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Malawi to discuss the attacks and how to bring the situation under control.
Local leaders called on the government to send in the army to patrol flashpoints around the province; however, police minister Nkosinathi Nhleko insisted that such measures were not yet necessary as a collaborative interdepartmental approach was being used to restore law and order.
A directive has been issued by president Jacob Zuma to protect all human life, be they foreign nationals or South Africans who may get involved as casualties.
Over the past week, thousands of foreigners have been forced to flee their homes and places of work in various townships after being targeted by roving mobs.
In response, the government has established a number of temporary refugee camps to provide the displaced with safe haven, and warned it would come down hard on those targeting foreign nationals and looting their businesses.
In Durban city centre yesterday, police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons at a crowd of more than 2,000 people after a standoff between them and several foreign shopowners erupted into a riot.
Live ammunition has been fired at police and journalists at the scenes of the looting.
Reports that groups of young men were amassing in other townships were also widespread, and prompted fears that more bloodshed was on the way.
The last time xenophobic violence of this magnitude affected South Africa was in 2008, when more than 60 people were killed.
