Attacks subside in Gauteng

2008-05-22 08:55

Johannesburg - The xenophobic attacks in Gauteng appeared to have subsided, a provincial spokesperson said on Wednesday.

However, KwaZulu-Natal police are monitoring a possible outbreak of attacks there.

"There are no new reports of attacks," said Thabo Masebe, deputy director of communications for the provincial government.

"Our sense is that the situation is under control, but we will continue to monitor the areas and take action when necessary."

This would include watching developments on trains following a warning that commuters could be targeted.

People burnt alive

However, a Sapa staffer in Sebokeng said some shops there had been looted earlier on Wednesday.

On Monday police said 22 people had died since the violence began in Alexandra last week and spread to informal settlements on the perimeter of Johannesburg.

Masebe attributed the "calm" to the combination of police intervention and co-operation from the communities wracked by the violence, which saw people being burnt alive and homes and businesses destroyed.

Authorities are currently also working on maintaining food supplies for the thousands of people displaced by the violence and discussing finding alternative temporary shelter for people seeking refuge at police stations.

Police spokesperson Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said that over 300 people had been arrested so far and he would release updated figures on the number of people killed later on Wednesday.

Earlier, he said three people were shot and wounded at Phomolong in Tembisa on Tuesday night. They were taken to hospital. Their nationality has not yet been established, he said.

A crowd also had to be dispersed in Kya Sands on the West Rand.

Mariemuthoo said one shack was set alight in Gugulethu and one in Ramaphosa on Tuesday night.

The crisis has displaced hundreds of foreigners causing them to run for cover at police stations, churches and shelters with some even seeking government assistance to return back home.

Earlier, the safety and security ministry said it had asked the SA National Defence Force to help supply equipment, but not troops, to help control the attacks.

Safety and Security spokesperson Trevor Bloem said: "There has been no special request in terms of manpower, however, there are efforts for the military maybe to assist in terms of equipment. We are not asking the military to send troops out to these areas."

The KwaZulu-Natal government said an attack on a tavern owned by Nigerians in Durban's Umbilo was political, not xenophobic.

At least 150 people turned on the tavern owners on Tuesday night and a local hostel has decided not to admit foreigners.

KwaZulu-Natal's Safety and Security MEC Bheki Cele accused the Inkatha Freedom Party of being behind the attacks, allegedly involving residents from the Dalton Road men's hostel.

A large contingent of Metro police and officers from the SA Police Services were monitoring the situation.

- SAPA