Big News Network.com Thursday 16th April, 2015
DURBAN, South Africa - Thousands of people have been forced out of their homes and are seeking refuge in temporary shelters after anti-immigrants mass attacks in the South African city of Durban, officials said Thursday.
Media reports said it was one of the most horrifying anti-immigrant mob attacks rocking South Africa.
The violence began after two Ethiopian brothers were said to have been locked inside their small shop in a shipping container and set on fire last Friday in a township near Durban.
The wave of violence killed three South Africans, including a 14-year-old boy, authorities said.
"There has been an outpouring of support from ordinary South Africans who are disgusted with the attacks not only because they are foreign, or African, but because they are fellow human beings," said Gift of the Givers charity, which is helping those seeking refuge at police stations.
"We are preparing aid packages for those who may journey onwards to their home countries."
The charity said about 8,500 people fled to refugee centers or police stations this week because of the violence. That doesn't count anyone who fled their homes to other, private accommodations, the group said.
The aid group said it hopes the violence is limited to Durban, but assured immigrants that it has a facility in Johannesburg to help those who might need shelter there.
"We have tents and all essential supplies on standby but pray that sanity prevails and this does not become necessary," it said.
Heavily armed police are on streets to stop clashes that began after immigrants from other African nations were accused of taking their jobs.
The Zulu king, Goodwill Zwelithini, told his followers last month that foreigners in South Africa should pack up and leave.
President Jacob Zuma's eldest son, Edward Zuma, had also chimed in that foreigners were "taking over the country".
Tim Flack' spokesperson for the SA Defence Force Union' has leveled charges of hate speech against Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini for his remarks about foreigners.
In the past too, Johannesburg has been the epicenter of anti-immigrant tensions.
In 2008, scores were killed in attacks in the poorest areas of Johannesburg. Most of the victims were Zimbabweans who had fled repression and dire economic circumstances. In that attack, police arrested more than 200 people for various crimes including rape, murder, robbery and theft.
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