Mbeki orders military onto streets to quash violence
Wednesday, 21 May 2008 19:52
South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki has deployed the army
South
Africa's president Thabo Mbeki has deployed the army in a move aimed at ending the xenophobic violence sweeping the country.
Today's announcement follows reports that attacks have spread from Johannesburg to Durban.
At least 24 people have been killed in violent attacks against immigrants in South Africa since last week.
Mr Mbeki declared yesterday that police would crack down on the mobs initiating the attacks.
"Citizens from other countries on the African continent and beyond are as human as we are and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity," the Al-Jazeera news agency quoted him as saying.
The president claimed that the police would get "to the root of the anarchy".
Reports claim that almost 300 people have so far been arrested in connection with the violence.
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced and reports earlier this week claimed 6,000 residents had fled the country.