Thousands of refugees in and around Johannesburg faced another night filled with anxiety on Tuesday evening as xenophobic tensions and violence continued to spread through the province. The violence has so far claimed 24 lives and left up to 10Â 000 people seeking refuge in shelters across Gauteng.
As a fresh wave of severe xenophobic violence gripped Johannesburg on Sunday, with five people killed in the Cleveland area, hundreds fleeing to the safety of police stations and shops in the CBD looted, President Thabo Mbeki announced that a panel had been set up to look into the attacks.
Metro police chief Robert McBride has signed official documents but is not working, Ekurhuleni mayoral spokesperson Prince Hamnca said on Friday. "Robert was never suspended but was put on special leave, that means that if we want to consult with him we can -- because he is the chief of police," Hamnca said.
Metrorail has beefed up security in response to possible xenophobic attacks on train commuters, it said on Wednesday. "Our own protection services, the South African railway police and contracted security staff have been beefed up in response to the perceived threat and in support of our security plan," the company said in a statement.
Another foreigner has been killed in South Africa as a wave of xenophobic violence spreads across Johannesburg, bringing the weekend death toll to 13, police said on Monday. The violence against foreigners, who are accused by many South Africans of depriving locals of jobs and committing crime, has spread across townships since the beginning of last week.
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Doctor Khumalo was admitted to hospital after he was involved in an accident on the N1 in Johannesburg on Sunday, Kaizer Chiefs confirmed. The accident, involving a black BMW -- driven by Khumalo -- and a minibus taxi, occurred on the N1 between Maraisburg and Soweto at about 5am,
