Attacks on Foreigners Force South African President to Cancel Visit

South African President Jacob Zuma has cancelled his visit to Indonesia in light of violence against foreign nationals in his country, the president's website said Saturday.

MOSCOW, April 18 (Sputnik) — Earlier on Saturday, anti-foreigner attacks took place in the city of Johannesburg, with small groups attacking several shops. Police reportedly have detained more than 30 people, using rubber bullets to disperse the violent crowd.

"We reiterate our message that there can be no justification for the attacks on foreign nationals. These attacks go against everything we believe in. The majority of South Africans love peace and good relations with their brothers and sisters in the continent."

The president condemned the attacks of foreign nationals and urged the police to protect communities and bring the perpetrators of such attacks to justice.

The surge of violence in the country tends to be linked to King Goodwill Zwelithini, traditional leader of the Zulu nation, who in March reportedly blamed foreigners in his speech for a high crime rate in South Africa and said they should go home.

Zuma was expected to leave for Indonesia on April 18 to attend the Africa-Asia Summit. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will replace Zuma in Indonesia, according to the website.

On April 18, Zuma is expected to visit the displaced foreign nationals in the South African port city of Durban, where at least six people are said to have died in anti-foreigner attacks in the fresh wave of violence against foreigners in the country.