BuaNews (Tshwane)
Bathandwa Mbola
19 May 2008
Durban — President Thabo Mbeki has condemned the xenophobic attacks which have broken out in townships across Gauteng.
"You can not allow people to go around beating up other people for [any] reason," Mbeki told reporters following a meeting with a panel of investors and ministers at the International Investment Council in Margate.
Referring to the attacks as unacceptable behaviour, the President said the police needed to act firmly on perpetrators.
"We have to look into this matter and see what lies behind it. We are interested to find out what could have sparked it off, and maybe we could find out if a particular person instigated it."
There are as many as three million illegal immigrants in South Africa, from African countries including Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Somalia.
Attacks against foreigners began in Alexandra over a week ago, apparently due to the high level of crime in the area. Angry mobs marched down the streets demanding foreigners leave the area.
Residents also accused the foreigners of stealing the few available jobs.
In this regard, Mr Mbeki announced that a panel of investigators will start examining the root causes of the attacks on foreigners.
Last week Home Affairs Minister Nosizwe Mapisa-Nqakula told reporters that a plan to end the violence and restore peace in Alexander was being constituted. This followed a high-level meeting at the Alexander police station.
Hundreds of foreigners have been camped at the station after being evicted from their homes by South Africans.
Attacks were reported in other townships in the province including Diepsloot, Thembisa in Midrand, Hillbrow, Cleveland, Honeydew and Primrose on the East Rand.
According to the reports, at least 14 people are known to have died since the attacks against foreigners started in Alexandra a week ago.
More than 200 people have been arrested for various offences, including rape, robbery and public violence.
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Makes me ashamed to be South African.