A wave of anti-foreigner violence that has killed five people in and around the South African city of Durban in recent days (12-14 April) has spread to Johannesburg. Immigrants in the country's biggest city shut their shops in fear of attacks.
A mobile phone text message sent to shop owners warned them to shut their premises, claiming that "Zulu people are coming to town ... to kill every foreigner on the road".
A local taxi driver throws stones at a man on the ground in the Johannesburg Central Business DistrictMarco Longari/AFPA taxi driver is pushed around during a confrontation with foreign nationals in JohannesburgMarco Longari/AFPA local taxi driver is kicked by foreign nationals in the Johannesburg Central Business DistrictMarco Longari/AFP
Police fired rubber bullets to disperse angry crowds, as protests were held by both immigrants and locals, some brandishing hatchets and machetes.
A foreign national holds a knife following clashes between a group of locals and police in DurbanAFPMembers of the South African Police Services try to control a protester in DurbanAFPA foreign national holds a machete to protect himself in DurbanAFPSouth African men run from police as rioting and looting was quelled during anti-foreigner violence in DurbanRogan Ward/ReutersForeign nationals gesture towards a group of locals in DurbanAFPPolice clear the streets in an attempt to quell rioting and looting in DurbanRogan Ward/Reuters
South Africa, with a population of about 50 million, is home to an estimated five million immigrants. South African unemployment is officially around 25% but is widely believed to be much higher, and youth joblessness is nearer 40%.
Some politicians and residents say immigrants are in the country illegally and accuse them of committing crimes and taking over local shops and jobs.
Children play among the remnants of a fridge in front of a looted store owned by foreigners in KwaMashu, north of DurbanRogan Ward/ReutersForeign nationals sheltering in a tent eat a meal provided by members of the community in Isipingo, south of DurbanRogan Ward/ReutersA foreign woman and her child sit with their belongings in a tent on a sports field in Isipingo, south of DurbanRogan Ward/ReutersA foreign man feeds his young child in a tent in Isipingo, south of DurbanRogan Ward/Reuters
In 2008, more than 60 foreigners were killed in similar unrest as locals vented frustrations over various issues, particularly a lack of jobs in the continent's second most advanced economy.
