Shops attacked in South Africa

South Africans angry with their socio-economic situation have again turned against immigrants.

South Africans in townships in Gauteng, Limpopo, Kwazulu-Natal, Free State and North West have looted stores owned by foreigners during violent protests against lack of basic services.Mozambican community leaders in Johannesburg, Amelia Muthisse and Antonio Tembe, have advised their fellow countrymen to return home if at all possible, but illegal migration of Mozambicans and other Africans to South Africa continues.The number of Mozambicans living illegally in South Africa is estimated at more than one million, and with political instability at home, the number may increase.Xenophobic violence has become a routine expression of domestic dissatisfaction in South Africa.In April last year, at least seven people, including two Mozambicans, were killed during violence in Durban and Johannesburg. More than three thousand immigrants were displaced from their homes and businesses occupied or looted.