JOHANNESBURG (Thomson Financial) - At least 12 people had been killed in Johannesburg since Friday in a wave of violence directed at immigrants, a police spokesman told Agence France-Presse.
Since the beginning of last week, foreigners have been targeted by mobs carrying machetes and guns in some of Johannesburg's toughest areas despite pleas for calm and widespread condemnation from politicians.
South African President Thabo Mbeki announced earlier Sunday that a panel had been set up to look into the xenophobic attacks, and he urged police to act firmly against the perpetrators, the domestic SAPA news agency reported.
'We hope that the panel and the police will work together and help us answer who is behind this,' he was quoted as saying.
The head of the ruling African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, also condemned the violence -- the worst yet seen since problems began early last week in the run-down township of Alexandra. tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com hjp COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
Since the beginning of last week, foreigners have been targeted by mobs carrying machetes and guns in some of Johannesburg's toughest areas despite pleas for calm and widespread condemnation from politicians.
South African President Thabo Mbeki announced earlier Sunday that a panel had been set up to look into the xenophobic attacks, and he urged police to act firmly against the perpetrators, the domestic SAPA news agency reported.
'We hope that the panel and the police will work together and help us answer who is behind this,' he was quoted as saying.
The head of the ruling African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, also condemned the violence -- the worst yet seen since problems began early last week in the run-down township of Alexandra. tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com hjp COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
© 2008 AFX News
