xenophobic violence in Johannesburg

The headlines of the past few days in South Africa have been swept over by news that a burst of violence, against other african foreigners, has spread from the townships to downtown Johannesburg.

The mail and guardian reported yesterday that "another foreigner had been killed in South Africa as a wave of xenophobic violence spread across Johannesburg, bringing the weekend death toll to 13, police said on Monday [...] The violence against foreigners, who are accused by many South Africans of depriving locals of jobs and committing crime, has spread across townships since the beginning of last week."

Jacob Zuma declared to a panel of observer: "We cannot allow South Africa to be famous for xenophobia. We cannot be a xenophobic country," adding that he could not understand how people could attack foreigners when ANC members had sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

These riots make a violent echo to the advertisement for the Million Man March Against Crime, which is set for the 10th of June. South African actor-comedian Desmond Dube, has urged men and women, across all races and from all walks of life to join him in demonstrating the power of unity to tackle crime in the country.

www.millionmanmarch.co.za.