South African security forces moved into townships in the Cape Town area on Monday after attacks and threats against foreign migrant workers.
Scores of workers from neighboring African countries took refuge at police stations in the Western Cape on Sunday night, fearing for their lives after shops run by migrants had been looted, national news agency SAPA reported.
Shadow
The incidents cast a shadow over the glow of South Africa’s successful hosting of the World Cup, which ended on Sunday night with Spain beating the Netherlands in the final in Johannesburg.
Police said they had arrested seven people after anti-foreigner incidents in the Western Cape, but no one had been hurt.
“There were two shacks that were burned in separate areas and there’s been sporadic incidents of looting and threats have been made on foreign nationals,” police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said.
Police and soldiers had been deployed in the area to protect the migrants, he said.
South Africa has attracted millions of workers from across the continent who compete with locals for scarce jobs and resources. Two years ago more than 60 people were killed during anti-foreigner attacks.
South African President Jacob Zuma said he was aware that foreign workers feared attack, but he said there was little evidence to suggest South Africans would turn on them.
Rumors
The worries were the result of rumors, he said.
“Let us make a distinction between a rumor and a concrete report with a clear source of information,” Zuma said at a news conference marking the end of the World Cup.
In Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, about 300 residents blocked traffic with burning tires to protest about living conditions.
“Police have been deployed to the area and are trying to clear the crowds,” Johannesburg police spokesman Wayne Minaar said.
Such protests, which were common before the World Cup, had died down during the 32-day soccer tournament.
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