Anti-immigrant violence spreads to Cape Town

Reuters/NY Times:

Anti-immigrant violence has spread to South Africa's second largest city, Cape Town, where mobs attacked Somalis and Zimbabweans and looted their homes and shops, police said on Friday.

Hundreds of African migrants were evacuated overnight from a squatter camp near Cape Town, the hub of South Africa's prized tourism industry. Somali-owned shops also were looted in Knysna, a resort town on the southwestern coast.

"We don't know the exact number of shops looted and burnt, but it's a lot," said Billy Jones, senior superintendent with the Western Cape provincial police. He added that one Somali died overnight but it was unclear whether the death was linked to the attacks.

At least 42 people have been killed and more than 25,000 driven from their homes in 12 days of attacks by mobs that accuse African migrants of taking jobs and fuelling crime. More than 500 people have been arrested.

...

Mbecki has called out the army, but he has not been able to address the causes of the problem. His policy on Zimbabwe and his protecting of Mugabe has led to a situation that is spinning beyond his ability to control. If he took care of Mugabe, he would relieve much of the immigrant pressure on South Africa.

CNN report that Mozambique has declared a state of emergency and is preparing to repatriate several of its citizens from South Africa.