Deaths Toll Hits 12 in South Africa Xenophobic Attacks

Weeklong attacks against foreigners in South Africa’s Gauteng province have left at least 12 migrants dead and forced hundreds to seek refuge in police stations and churches. The violence started last week in Alexandra Township, where angry residents accused migrants from other African countries - especially the estimated 3 million Zimbabweans fleeing political and economic turmoil in their country - of raising the area’s crime rate and taking over their jobs. The violence has since spread to several other townships including Hillbrow, Jeppestown, Zandspruit, Thokoza, Tembisa, Cleveland, Primrose and the Johannesburg city centre. South African President Thabo Mbeki has meanwhile directed local police to find the instigators of the violence.[P.E ]