Xenophobic Attacks Leave Five Dead In South Africa

At least five persons have been killed in renewed xenophobic attacks
in South Africa's Kwazulu Natal province.

Tension has already started brewing in some parts of the province, as
foreign nationals have come under attack and their small businesses
looted by the locals.

President Jacob Zuma, had this week sent three of his ministers to
calm the situation but even on Tuesday, looting has happened overnight
and a march is reported to be taking place in Durban, the commercial
city in the province.

Five foreign nationals have been killed but no death of a Nigerian has
been reported so far, according to Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner,
Ambassador Martin Cobham, who is currently in Durban.

There have been several clashes between locals and police in Durban,
as the security agents attempt to contain the ongoing violence against
foreign nationals in Durban.

The attacks on immigrant-owned shops and homes in Durban's townships
come three months after a similar spate of attacks on foreign-owned
shops in Soweto, near Johannesburg.

On April 13, the Malawian government said on it would help repatriate
its citizens from South Africa following an outbreak of xenophobic
violence in the eastern port city of Durban.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba and the Premier of Kwazulu
Natal, Senzo Mchunu have held a town-hall meeting with members of
various communities.

A high crime rate and a lack of jobs among other things have been
blamed on foreigners by some indigenes and a recent statement by the
Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelinthini, on too many foreigners in the country
has not helped. The king has since said he was quoted out of context.