Fears over 'copy cat' attacks

2008-05-17 18:11

Johannesburg - Six people have been arrested in Thokoza on the East Rand as xenophobic attacks on foreigners continued to spread, police said on Saturday.

Spokesperson Mega Ndobe said the six were arrested on Friday night for public violence.

Ndobe said two shacks had been burnt down and a number of people had been injured in the incident.

He said at least fifty foreigners had sought refuge at Thokoza Police Station.

Ndobe said relative calm had been restored to the area this afternoon.

Copy cat attacks

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has said it was concerned about the "copy cat" style of attacks happening in the province.

Chair Jody Kollapen said there was an urgent need for government, non-governmental organisations, churches and local communities to meet and come up with interventions to curb the xenophobia.

"We need other interventions to deal with the xenophobia apart from the public condemnations," he said.

Kollapen said it was worrying that those behind the attacks had succeeded in instilling fear in foreigners who would in the long run not testify against the perpetrators.

Witnesses on the run

"The main witnesses are now on the run and some may decide to return to their countries, so prosecution will prove to be difficult," he said.

Meanwhile, the South African Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for R1m in support of the victims of the attacks.

Spokesperson Mbuso Mhtembu said the emergency fund would help with the living conditions of those affected.

Mntembu said the fund would also be used to launch an anti-discrimination campaign to promote peace and unity.

He said the Red Cross had so far distributed 400 blankets, boxes of clothing, food parcels and hygiene packs, but more aid was needed.

- SAPA