South Africa deploys army to curb anti-immigrant violence

Reports reaching us indicate that South Africa has finally deployed the army on Tuesday April 21 in "volatile areas" to curb a wave of anti-immigrant violence that has killed at least seven people this month, according to the defence minister.

The attacks which  began almost three weeks ago in parts of Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, quickly spread to Johannesburg,and other parts of South Africa.

The defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said soldiers were being sent to "volatile areas", which included the rundown Johannesburg district of Alexandra and parts of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

"There will be those who will be critical of this decision but the vulnerable will appreciate it," Mapisa-Nqakula told reporters in Alexandra.

South Africa has been criticised by foreign governments, including China, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, for failing to protect foreigners as TV stations broadcast images around the world of armed mobs looting immigrant-owned shops.

President Jacob Zuma's government was put under further pressure when disturbing images appeared in local media on Sunday of men beating and stabbing Mozambican man Emmanuel Sithole to death in broad daylight. Reuters reports

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