South Africa struggles to quell violence
The South African government yesterday called for calm after a wave of xenophobic violence in which dozens of shops and houses owned by immigrants have been torched and looted.
Attacks against foreigners and foreign-run businesses have erupted regularly in recent years in South Africa, fuelled by the country's high unemployment levels and dire poverty.
In the last week, more than 20 shops have been targeted in Atteridgeville, outside Pretoria, while residents in Rosettenville attacked at least 12 houses.
Many locals have alleged that their targets were brothels and drug dens being run by migrants from elsewhere in Africa, including Nigeria.
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