South Africa anti-foreign violence spreads, many flee

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Hundreds of foreigners living in South Africa took refuge in police stations and churches as week-old violence against them spread further across poor townships, local media reported on Sunday.

Numbers of casualties since the attacks against Zimbabweans and other immigrants began a week ago varied, with some reports on Sunday putting the death toll at around 10.

Some South Africans, especially those living in poor areas of high unemployment, accuse Zimbabweans and other newcomers of fuelling the high crime rate and taking scarce jobs.

The attacks have renewed the authorities' fears that xenophobia is on the rise in a country which was once known as one of the most welcoming to immigrants and asylum seekers, especially from Africa.

Local radio said angry mobs had at first attacked houses owned by immigrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other countries in Alexandra township.

But now these attacks had spread to other settlements and Johannesburg's city centre. Properties had been looted and destroyed.

"There have been some incidents in the Alexandra area where police opened fire using rubber bullets to disperse crowds," police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said on local radio.

"There've been problems also in the East Rand. In the Boksburg area some shacks have been set alight," he added.

Mariemuthoo was not reachable for further comment.