South Africa Violence Escalates

ANCHOR:
A chaotic and scene in Johannesburg, South Africa today. Several people are dead and injured after riots broke out on city streets. It's part of a protest against immigration to the country from neighboring African nations. Here's more.

STORY:
A police officer fires rubber bullets at a rioter in Johannesburg.

South African authorities are trying to stem a wave of anti-foreigner violence that's left several people dead and scores injured since it erupted a week ago.

Rising xenophobia in South Africa -- renowned for its liberal immigration and refugee policies -- is alarming the governing African National Congress (ANC).

While senior government officials were holding crisis talks with community leaders in Alexandra township - scene of earlier unrest - youths rioted in another Johannesburg settlement.

Police fought to restore order after a mob looted shops and set up barricades.

Local radio is reporting that immigrants were singled out and attacked with guns and clubs, their homes plundered and set alight.

The violence is spreading to other townships. Hundreds of terrified immigrants have sought refuge in churches and police stations.

High levels of poverty, crime and unemployment are fueling resentment toward foreigners - especially Zimbabweans.

3 million Zimbabweans have fled to neighboring South Africa in recent years to escape the political and economic turmoil at home.

Since the end of apartheid nearly 20 years ago, South Africa has become a magnet for millions of African immigrants escaping poverty and persecution.

But no longer - images like these are destroying the country's reputation as a safe haven.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• south
• africa
• violence
• johannesburg
• dead
• injuries
• riots
• protest

[KEYOTWISTEDJOKER]

Watch and Learn Britain

[ShalloeThought]

This is South Africans way of saying thank you to surrounding countries for giving their "freedom fighters" refuge during the Struggle :)

[oduro0111]

you need psychological help.

[Shukria123]

South Africans blacks should be ashamed of themselves: blacks from the rest of Africa supported them in their struggle against apartheid, and this is how South African blacks are repaying them.

Shame on them.

[bgibb101]

Interesting how the towns and cities were MUCH safer during white rule.

[mrjesusjones]

let the stupid niggers keep killing each other, eventually they will all be gone.

[jewellers100]

SA a SAFE HAVEN - WTFL

[UncookedVanilla]

I wonder if Keith Phoenix is part South African.

[anonvscos]

I lol'd because ebven nogs realise that nigra invaders are a cancer

[Karbouchard]

in your struggle, do they trow petrol / gasoline over the victim and then set them alight?

[SomaliaGreat]

trust me,when somalia gets back on its feet the south africans will be working for us from saylac to kismayo like they have for the last 1000 years.

[killaafrikaner]

black south africans act like animals fine i wish your world cup in 2010 will be cancelled. blacks in the US and Europe dont look up to you in anyway from music ot culture if i ever met a black south african i will raise this issue how on earth can you just hate blacks from elsewhere you cant even speak english dirty africans