Africa Focus: Looters open fire at police in S. Africa xenophobia violence

Looters opened fire at police and journalists as xenophobia violence has spread to more townships in South Africa, authorities said on Tuesday.

Hundreds of disgruntled locals went on a looting spree in the Mzansi area of Ntuzuma near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province despite reforcement of police force in troubled areas, a police source who declined to be named said, adding that the violence has spread to more townships and sent foreigners into hiding.

At one point, looters opened fire at police and journalists, the source said.

Other townships like Ipisingo, Umlazi and KwaMashu have also been affected.

The latest spate of violence was sparked by growing complaints by locals that foreigners entered the country illegally, engaged in illegal trade and committed crimes.

In the violence that erupted on March 25, at lease five people, most of them foreigners reportedly have been killed. More than 100 foreign-owned shops have been burnt and thousands of foreigners displaced. They are being housed in three special camps in the area.

An Ethiopian refugee told Xinhua over telephone that his shop was burnt to ashes. "I luckily escaped from a mob and is now under police protection," he said, refusing to be named.

"My life is threatened. I'm determined to leave this country as soon as possible. It's like a hell to me now," he added.

The Malawi government has said it will help repatriate its nationals back to their homes.

Several African countries reportedly will follow suit.

South African Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and KwaZulu- Natal (KZN) Premier Senzo Mchunu are expected to meet diplomats from African states in Durban later Tuesday to discuss the wave of attacks on foreign nationals in the province.

Malawi and Somali governments are among the countries that have expressed concern about the plight of their nationals in KwaZulu- Natal.

SA President Jacob Zuma has said the government is addressing the issues that are being raised by citizens nationally, in particular, complaints about illegal and undocumented migrants, the takeover of local shops and other businesses by foreign nationals as well as perceptions that foreign nationals perpetrate crime.

"We reiterate that there can be no justification for attacking foreign nationals. Those who are in the country illegally should be reported to the police and they will be returned to their countries of origin in a lawful manner," Zuma said.

Many foreigners regard Zuma's words as a call for them to leave the country.

"I feel I'm not welcomed any more although I have legal status, " said the Ethiopian refugee.

The looting and xenophobia highlight the struggle for resources among South Africa's poor. South Africa's neighbours and other African countries still face huge problems of underdevelopment and poverty and there has been a constant stream of economic refugees into South Africa, looking for work and an escape from poverty. Endi