Thousands march in protest against wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa

Around 200 protesters took to the streets in South Africa’s largest commercial city of Johannesburg, shouting anti-immigrant slogans and pelting passing vehicles and police, a witness told Reuters.

The clashes came hours after thousands rallied against xenophobia in Durban, a port city famed for its racial mix and vibrant multicultural arts scene.

Chanting "Down with xenophobia!" and "A United Africa," around 4,000 people – including residents, students, and local religious and political leaders – attended the event in downtown Durban.

In recent days, shops and homes owned by Somalis, Ethiopians, Malawians and other immigrants in Durban and surrounding townships have been the target of attacks, forcing families to flee to camps protected by armed guards.

At least four people have been killed in the wave of violence that started two weeks ago in the key port city on the Indian Ocean.

Johannesburg was the epicentre of major xenophobic attacks in 2008, which killed more than 60 people.

Zuma to address parliament

President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday made a public plea for an end to the killings.

"I think this now must stop, because we cannot continue killing one another. What is happening in our country is not acceptable," Zuma told state broadcaster SABC.

South Africa has erected safe camps in Durban for fleeing immigrants whose shops were looted and burnt.

With a population of about 50 million, South Africa is home to an estimated 5 million immigrants; its high jobless rate, widespread poverty and glaring income disparities make it a ripe candidate for outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence.

Unemployment is officially around 25 percent, but economists say in reality it is much higher.

Violence against immigrants is common in Africa’s economic hub, with unemployed locals accusing foreigners of taking their jobs.

Zuma is expected to make a statement later Thursday before parliament on the attacks. On Friday, Minister of International Relations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is set to meet with African diplomats based in South Africa to discuss the government's efforts to protect immigrants, her office said in a statement.

Amnesty International has criticised the South African government for its slow reaction to the attacks, and said authorities should have devised a better response plan after attacks earlier this year.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AP and AFP)