South Africa Deploys Army to Curb Xenophobia Tensions

TVC NEWS [JOHANNESBURG] - South African government on Tuesday deployed the army in "volatile areas" to curb a wave of anti-immigrant violence that has killed at least seven people this month, the defence minister said.

The latest anti-immigrant attacks which began almost three weeks ago in some parts of the coastal city of Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal and quickly spread to Johannesburg, South Africa's commercial capital.

Speaking to Journalists in Alexandra, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said soldiers were being sent to "volatile areas", which included the rundown Johannesburg district of Alexandra and parts of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

"There will be those who will be critical of this decision but the vulnerable will appreciate it," Mapisa-Nqakula told reporters in Alexandra.

Meanwhile, South Africa has been criticised by foreign governments, including China, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, for failing to protect foreigners as TV stations broadcast images around the world of armed mobs looting immigrant-owned shops.

President Jacob Zuma's government was put under further pressure when disturbing images appeared in local media on Sunday of men beating and stabbing Mozambican man Emmanuel Sithole to death in broad daylight.