S.A. MOURNS VICTIMS OF XENOPHOBIA !
The violence erupted in South Africa's townships.
South Africa is holding a day of national mourning to remember those killed during May's xenophobic attacks.
President Thabo Mbeki is due to lead a tribute in the capital, Pretoria, to be attended by religious leaders and relatives of those who died.
More than 60 people died when armed groups in Johannesburg and other cities attacked foreigners, or those believed to be Mozambican or Zimbabwean.
They were blamed for fuelling high unemployment and crime.
It was the worst bloodshed in the county since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Twenty-one South Africans were among the 62 people who died - mistaken by gangs for foreigners.
Tens of thousands of migrants left the country after the attacks, but the border authorities in Mozambique say an average of 3,000 people are now returning to South Africa every day.
The government is trying to reintegrate thousands of foreigners who are living in makeshift camps after fleeing their homes.
The BBC's Mpho Lakaje in Johannesburg says as South Africa remembers those who died, more attacks are being reported.
I don't like those people they bring crime in our country. We belong here they, should go back
Alexandra township resident
South Africa is holding a day of national mourning to remember those killed during May's xenophobic attacks.
President Thabo Mbeki is due to lead a tribute in the capital, Pretoria, to be attended by religious leaders and relatives of those who died.
More than 60 people died when armed groups in Johannesburg and other cities attacked foreigners, or those believed to be Mozambican or Zimbabwean.
They were blamed for fuelling high unemployment and crime.
It was the worst bloodshed in the county since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Twenty-one South Africans were among the 62 people who died - mistaken by gangs for foreigners.
Tens of thousands of migrants left the country after the attacks, but the border authorities in Mozambique say an average of 3,000 people are now returning to South Africa every day.
The government is trying to reintegrate thousands of foreigners who are living in makeshift camps after fleeing their homes.
The BBC's Mpho Lakaje in Johannesburg says as South Africa remembers those who died, more attacks are being reported.
I don't like those people they bring crime in our country. We belong here they, should go back
Alexandra township resident
On Wednesday, a group from Bangladesh marched to a Pretoria police station after a Bangladeshi shop-owner was attacked by 25 people.
Our correspondent says in the township of Alexandra where the violence started, people are far from ready for reconciliation with immigrants from neighbouring countries.
"They don't belong here OK, so they must leave this country [as] it is difficult to get a job," one male resident told the BBC.
A female resident said: "I don't like those people - they bring crime in our country. We belong here, they should go back to their country."
A Mozambican driver living in Alexandra says he now lives "in fear".
"But there's nothing I can do because there are no jobs in Mozambique," he told the BBC.
"Just last week, foreigners were assaulted here in Alexandra; their music CDs and other personal belongs were stolen. Life has become difficult," he said.
Another Alexandra resident, asked if the day of mourning meant anything to her, said she would be observing it.
"Yes it does because some of the people who died are people from South Africa, yes I should [mourn]," she said.
posted by jackaranda at 5:21 pm
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