Zuma condemns wave of immigrant attacks in South Africa

A wave of xenophobic violence in the continent's most developed economy has highlighted social tensions related to immigration and triggered condemnation byJacob Zuma, South Africa's president.

"The attacks violate all the values that South Africa embodies, especially the respect for human life, human rights," Mr Zuma told parliament. At least five people have been killed in the violence.

More than 1,000 people were forced to flee their homes during the attacks against foreign nationals and the looting for foreign-run shops in the port city of Durban. The violence has escalated after erupting about two weeks ago, and has since spread to parts of Johannesburg, the commercial capital, causing foreigners to lock up their shops for fear of being targeted by angry mobs.

It is the second spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa this year, after hundreds of foreign shop owners were forced to flee townships in and around Johannesburg in January. At least five people were killed during that violence - rekindling memories of 2008 attacks in which more than 60 foreigners, mostly Africans, died.

Commentators say the violence is partly fuelled by the frustrations of poorer black South Africans who are angry with the rampant levels of poverty and unemployment in townships, and the poor state of basic services. Often, they accuse foreigners, who run many of the small informal stores in townships - known as "spaza shops" - of taking job opportunities away from locals.

Last month, the Mercury, a Durban-based newspaper, quoted Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini as saying foreigners were taking away economic opportunities from South Africans and should return home. The king's office later said his speech was misinterpreted.

Mr Zuma said no amount of frustration or anger "can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops".

"We appeal for calm, an end to the violence and restraint. Criminal elements should not be allowed to take advantage of the concerns of citizens to sow mayhem and destruction," he said. "The police have been directed to work round the clock to protect both foreign nationals and citizens and to arrest looters and those committing acts of violence."

However, as he was speaking there were reports of police firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse a crowd of anti-immigrant protesters in a suburb of Johannesburg. Police also reportedly clashed with mobs who sought to counter a "peace" march in Durban.

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Many have successfully set up businesses in townships, and analysts say foreigners have been more adept then South Africans at co-ordinating among themselves and buying in bulk at cheaper prices from wholesalers.

Moeletsi Mbeki, a businessman and commentator, told the Financial Times that one issue is that South Africa struggles with a relatively low level of entrepreneurship. He blames this partly on an economy that has traditionally been dominated by mining and "cartels", and partly on the legacy of apartheid, during which townships were often no-go areas. And in the 20 years since apartheid's demise, the ruling African National Congress has struggled to roll back unemployment, while the gap between the haves and have-nots has widened, creating festering tensions that are exposed by the looting of foreign-run shops, he says.

"These are all manifestations of disappointment with the fruits of the elimination of apartheid," Mr Mbeki says. "The dividends of that have clearly gone to the ANC and its middle class elite. The people left behind - anything could spark their anger."

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