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S. Africa sets up departmental task team to curb attack on foreigners

Xinhua, April 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

The South African government on Tuesday set up a departmental team to curb attacks on foreigners in parts of the country.

The team comprises officials from the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Police and Department of State Security, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said during a tour of several townships which have been experienced continuing violence against foreigners.

Police confirm that a 14-year-boy was shot and killed in Ntuzuma, a township near Durban on Monday night.

Police said they would investigate if the killing was linked to xenophobic violence in the area.

The boy's death brought to at least six the number of people who have been killed in the latest spate of violence that erupted on March 25 in Isipingo, a impoverished township near Durban. The violence has spread to several other townships nearby.

A number of foreigners have reportedly taken arms to defend themselves against looters, some of them are armed.

This has sparked concern from the government which pledged to do all within the law to ensure foreigners' safety.

Riot police have arrived at the scenes to quell the violence. Several police units have called for reinforcement after failing to disperse the crowds.

Roads leading to the troubled areas were blocked with burning tyres. Protesters also threw rocks at police and journalists.

As violence continued unabated, there have been calls for sending the army to restore order.

But Nhleko said there was no need yet to send the army out.

According to official figures, more than 100 foreign-owned shops have been burnt and thousands of foreigners displaced. The foreigners are being housed in three special camps in the area.

At least 48 suspects apprehended since past weekend.

In a related development, the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC) condemned any attacks on foreign nationals.

The commission on Tuesday sent a fact-finding mission to the areas wrecked by xenophobia attacks.

HRC spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, said they want to speak to foreigners who fled the violence and see conditions they are living under.

"We believe there is an opportunity for a dialogue to resolve some of these issues without apportioning blame. We call upon law enforcement agencies to protect foreign nationals and their properties where these attacks have not happened yet, because we feel it's spreading now." Endi