Attack on South African visitors: Government to meet ambassadors as well as police officers
South Africa's foreign affairs minister has called for an emergency meeting with ambassadors following attacks on visitors in Durban.
Earlier on Monday three people died following protests focused on shops, many of which were owned by foreigners.
Approximately 50 people sought asylum at one police station when one group of unemployed African youth forced them from their homes at night.
Visitors are targeted by people where they are accused of taking their work.
Almost 100 people attacked the supermarket on Sunday night and Sunday morning, stealing and burning houses.
One woman died when she collapsed from the roof of the house when she left the protesters.
Two other people were killed as a result of gunshot wounds, after one shop owner allegedly shot.
On Tuesday the visitors began to seek refuge in mosques and police station.
Minister of Foreign Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu ordered police officers to face the attackers.
'' Any criminal acts and theft of foreign nationals will not be accepted by the police officers and security agencies to take emergency measures without prejudice '', he said in the statement.
He has organized a meeting with African diplomats.
Some people complain about foreigners who work in South Africa where unemployment is up to 72 percent at the end of last year.
The attack on immigrants from other African countries is not a strange thing in South Africa.
In 2015, the violence in the cities of Johannesburg and Durban led to seven killings after migrants were hunted and attacked by gangs.
South Africa was hit by the worst violence against foreigners in 2008 when more than 60 people were killed.
