Shops set ablaze, looted as xenophobic attacks spread in South Africa

Xenophobic attacks spread to Johannesburg
Johannesburg (CNN)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.
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.
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.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/17/africa/south-africa-xenophobia-attacks/index.html