Attacks against immigrant businesses started in Durban. The attacks have left six people dead. South African police fired rubber bullets Friday to disperse crowds setting immigrant businesses ablaze as attacks against foreigners spread to Johannesburg.
Chanting and singing, machete-armed residents burned down shops owned by foreigners, including a Nigerian dealership in the nation's largest city.
Immigrants carrying bricks accused police of not doing enough to protect them as businesses smoldered.
Six people killed
Violence targeting immigrant shops started recently in the port city of Durban, where two foreigners and three South Africans were killed. Residents have accused African immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes. The unemployment rate in South Africa is 25%, according to government figures.
A sixth death occurred Wednesday. The body of a 58-year-old foreign national was found in Verulam town, where a mob attacked the man at his home. He fled and died of his injuries near his home, South African police said.
At least 112 people have been arrested throughout KwaZulu-Natal Province for various offenses related to the violence, police said.
Social and economic issues
President Jacob Zuma said his government is addressing social and economic issues brought up by citizens. He said immigrants contribute to the nation's economy while others bring scarce skills.
"While some foreign nationals have been arrested for various crimes, it is misleading and wrong to label or regard all foreign nationals as being involved in crime in the country," Zuma said.
As the violence spread to other cities, terrified immigrants sought a resolution. Others fled, taking refuge at police stations in major cities.
"They are using this as scapegoats," said Jean-Pierre Lukamba, an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"Every day, migrants are living in this fire. It's not just attacks. It's institutionalized xenophobia. The government must do something. Those people aren't just mad for no reason. They want electricity, they want jobs, they want water."
'They don't understand the history of Africa'
Lukamba said he's part of an organization trying to negotiate between the two sides.
"They don't understand the history of Africa; if they do, they would know each of us, we are one," he said.
Thousands fled to temporary shelters, with aid group Gift of the Givers saying about 8,500 people are hiding in refugee centers or police stations this week because of the violence. The number did not include those who have moved in with friends or relatives.
The aid group said it has a facility in Johannesburg to help those who might need shelter.
"We are preparing aid packages for those who may journey onwards to their home countries," it said.
Police ordered to work around the clock
The violence spread from Durban to Johannesburg even though Zuma has condemned the attacks and appealed for calm.
"No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops," he said. "The attacks violate all the values that South Africa embodies, especially the respect for human life."
Zuma said he has ordered police to work around the clock to protect citizens and immigrants, and arrest the perpetrators.
In Mozambique, the South African energy and chemical giant Sasol was temporarily returning about 340 South African nationals to South Africa "as a precautionary measure," Sasol spokesman Alex Anderson said.
Mozambican employees of Sasol service providers have voiced concern about reported violence against Mozambicans and other foreign nationals in South Africa and protested the presence of South African employees in Mozambique.
"We have had no cases of violence at our sites and the situation remains calm," Anderson said in a statement.
In the past, Johannesburg has been the epicenter of anti-immigrant tensions.
In 2008, dozens were killed in attacks in the poorest areas of Johannesburg. Most of the victims were Zimbabweans who had fled repression and dire economic circumstances. In those attacks, police arrested more than 200 people on various charges, including rape, murder, robbery and theft.
CNN's Diana Magnay contributed from Johannesburg, and Faith Karimi wrote and reported from Atlanta. CNN's Brent Swails contributed to this report.
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