MOSCOW (Sputnik) — South Africa deployed its army on Tuesday in an effort to contain a spread of violent actions against immigrants that has engulfed several parts of the country over the past few weeks, Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said Tuesday as cited by the BBC.
A series of attacks on immigrants in South Africa began in early April in the western province of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in deaths of at least seven people. The unrest has spread to Johannesburg, the largest city in the country.
A married couple from Zimbabwe was murdered in an attack Monday night.
Over 900 foreigners have fled the country amid the violence, according to the South African authorities.
The recent attacks are suspected to be linked to a March statement by South Africa's Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, blaming immigrants for high crime rates and urging foreigners to return to their native countries.
In 2008, over 60 immigrants were killed in similar attacks in South Africa.
