/ 23 May 2008

Mozambique raises security at SA embassy

Mozambique said on Friday it had beefed up security at South Africa’s embassy in Maputo to prevent any retaliation over the xenophobic violence that has engulfed Johannesburg townships.

”We are taking measures to prevent retaliatory action by furious Mozambicans,” police spokesperson Arnaldo Chefo said. ”We have increased the number of police patrolling the premises of the South African High Commission.”

More than 12 000 Mozambicans have returned home in the wake of the attacks that have killed at least 42 people in South African townships and forced thousands of others to flee to refugee centres.

Mozambique’s government has set up three transit centres to help its citizens affected by the violence. — Reuters