Wide-Scale Xenophobic Attacks In KZN

Reports of wide-scale xenophobic attacks are coming out of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.

: FILE Photo: Xenophobic attacks in SAcliff1066™ / Foter / CC BY

Widespread anti-foreigner rhetoric continued to spread with lots of looting of shops owned by non-South Africans.

The attacks spiked after comments attributed to Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini in which he is said to have called for foreigners to be kicked out of South Africa. He has since denied this claiming the media had misquoted him.

Police have confirmed cases of shops being burnt down, roadblocks with burning tyres and stones.

#KwaDabeka – a view from inside the looted shop while police wait for backup. @News24 pic.twitter.com/QBQb8k3Evu
— Jeff Wicks (@wicks_jeff) April 14, 2015

News24 says it is trying to confirm the number of deaths but thousands have been displaced.

Prominent SA-based Zimbabwean artists Buffalo Souljah said:

President Mugabe was here discussing bi lateral trade with a government cannot protect us within its borders after granting us entry
— AfricanDancehallKing (@buffalosouljah1) April 14, 2015

He went on to further to say that if nothing was done, there would be a lobby to stop SA activities in film, music etc on the continent.

It is a matter that must be felt strongly against. Hi Sadc. Hi AU. Hi anyone. What are you doing?

UPDATE: SA Police have confirmed the death of a 14 year-old boy who was shot in KZN on Monday night. Can’t say who shot him or what nationality the person was. Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says 48 suspects have been arrested in connection with the xenophobic violence. [11.44am – 14/4/2014]