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12 Immigrants Killed in Johannesburg Riots

Foreigners blamed for poverty

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 19, 2008 4:20 AM CDT
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(Newser) – At least 12 foreigners were shot, stabbed, beaten or burned to death over the weekend in anti-immigrant protests in and around Johannesburg. Thousands of terrified immigrants, many of them Zimbabweans fleeing problems in their own country, are now seeking refuge in churches or police stations, reports the New York Times. Immigrants have become the scapegoat for problems in the nation, rocked by a 23% unemployment rate, soaring food prices and one of the highest crime levels in the world. 

“We should be the last people to have this problem of a negative attitude toward our brothers and sisters who come from outside,” said the president of the African National Congress.

A South African police officer stands by the body of a man killed during violence in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday May 18, 2008. Mobs killed at least five people and injured 50 in anti-foreigner violence Sunday that has spread through poor suburbs of Johannesburg, police said. Foreigners, mainly Zimbabweans, were...
A South African police officer stands by the body of a man killed during violence in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday May 18, 2008. Mobs killed at least five people and injured 50 in anti-foreigner...   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
A South African police officer stands by the body of a man killed during anti-immigrant violence in Johannesburg yesterday.
A South African police officer stands by the body of a man killed during anti-immigrant violence in Johannesburg yesterday.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
South African police officers use rubber bullets to disperse crowds in Johannesburg yesterday during anti-immigrant riots.
South African police officers use rubber bullets to disperse crowds in Johannesburg yesterday during anti-immigrant riots.   (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
A Johannesburg mob armed with hand carved weapons went on the rampage in a frenzy of anti-foreigner hatred.
A Johannesburg mob armed with hand carved weapons went on the rampage in a frenzy of anti-foreigner hatred.   (AP Photo/Simphiwe Nkwali)
Protesters sing and dance as a they call for the expulsion of foreigners in Johannesburg during anti-immigrant riots yesterday.
Protesters sing and dance as a they call for the expulsion of foreigners in Johannesburg during anti-immigrant riots yesterday.   (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
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immigration • Africa • Thabo Mbeki • riots • Johannesburg • Jacob Zuma • African National Congress

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