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South Africa Deploys Soldiers To Suppress Xenophobic Attacks

South African government has deployed soldiers to volatile areas in Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal in a bid to quell anti-immigrant violence. The deployment was made on … Continue reading South Africa Deploys Soldiers To Suppress Xenophobic Attacks


xenophobic attacks

South Africa xenophobic attacks KwaZulu-NatalSouth African government has deployed soldiers to volatile areas in Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal in a bid to quell anti-immigrant violence.

The deployment was made on Tuesday, as xenophobic attacks that have left at least 7 dead begin to reduce.

Locals took to the streets almost three weeks ago in Durban, a coastal city in KwaZulu- heartland.

The government had vowed to crack down strongly on the unrest, but the decision to put soldiers on the streets on Tuesday came after two nights of relative quiet in both cities.

South Africa’s defence minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, said the decision was the last resort in attempts to quell the anti-immigrants attacks.

“We come in as the last resort, the army will serve as a deterrent against the crimethat we see,” Mapisa-Nqakula told reporters, declining to give details on how manytroops would be involved.

“There are people who will be critical but those who are vulnerable will appreciate thisdecision,” she said.

“Now we deploying because there is an emergency.”

Police have struggled to contain mobs who have been attacking foreigners from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and other African countries in both the economic capital Johannesburg and in the port city of Durban.

“We are not here to take over the work of the police. We are simply here to give support to what the police are trying to do in their efforts to prevent a continuation with what we have seen,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.

On Monday, South Africa’s influential Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, called for calm, describing the anti-immigrant attacks as “vile”.

Critics said the Zulu King’s statement was an attempt to defend himself against claims that previous comments he made about foreigners had fuelled the unrest.