S Africa struggles to quell anti-immigrant violence

JOHANNESBURG: The South African government on Thursday called for calm after a wave of xenophobic violence in which dozens of shops and houses owned by immigrants have been torched and looted.

Attacks against foreigners and foreign-run businesses have erupted regularly in recent years in South Africa, fuelled by the country’s high unemployment levels and dire poverty.

In the last week, more than 20 shops have been targeted in Atteridgeville, outside Pretoria, while residents in Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg, attacked at least 12 houses.

Many locals have alleged that their targets were immoral activi- ties and drug dens being run by migrants from elsewhere in Africa, including Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

A march protesting against migrants is due to be held in Pretoria on Friday, raising fears of violence in the city centre.

“I wish to appeal to all South Africans to desist from rhetoric or actions that are xenophobic,” Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba told a press conference.

“There are renewed incidents of violence against foreign nationals in Rosettenville and Pretoria West,” he admitted. Nigeria this week called for the African Union to step in to stop “xenophobic attacks” on its citizens in South Africa, claiming 20 Nigerians were killed last year.