24 May 2008
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| Thousands of protesters march in downtown Johannesburg, S. Africa, to protest the recent wave of attacks against foreigners, 24 May 2008 |
Protesters took to the streets in Johannesburg carrying signs that read "We stand against Xenophobia" and "Xenophobia hurts like apartheid."
In the last two weeks, violent attacks on foreigners have spread from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Limpopo and North West provinces. At least 42 people have been killed and more than 25,000 left homeless.
The attackers have blamed immigrants for taking jobs and increasing the country's crime rate. Many victims of the recent attacks are from Zimbabwe and Somalia.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch says South African courts have dropped several recent cases against people accused of violence against foreigners, because the victims are afraid to cooperate with authorities.
More than 500 people have been arrested for attacks on foreigners.
Malawi said Friday that it will evacuate any of its citizens in South Africa who want to come home.
Mozambique has declared a state of emergency so it can better cope with the 10,000 Mozambicans who have fled across the border in recent days to escape attacks.
The United Nations refugee agency has asked South Africa not to deport Zimbabweans seeking asylum, saying the crisis in their country prevents them from going back.
South Africa is home to an estimated five million immigrants, about three million of them from neighboring Zimbabwe.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
Source: VOA, May 24, 2008