South Africa violence spreads, army deployment mulled

By Marius Bosch

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Xenophobic violence that has killed at least 25 people spilled over to South Africa's volatile Zulu heartland on Wednesday and security officials discussed whether to use troops to quell unrest.

The attacks on African immigrants, accused by many poor South Africans of taking scarce jobs and fuelling crime, have forced thousands of people from their homes, unnerved investors and hit the rand currency.

Local media in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province said at least six immigrants were wounded in an overnight attack on a Nigerian-owned tavern in the port city of Durban.

The Zulu-based Inkatha Freedom Party, the ruling ANC's main rival in KwaZulu-Natal, said the Durban attacks showed the anti-foreigner violence had spread to the province -- home to South Africa's biggest ethnic group, the Zulus.

"We are ... saddened by reports that such barbaric acts have spread to our province and Durban in particular," it said.

Police and provincial officials said the attack was not sparked by xenophobia, but it increased fears the violence could spread from the Johannesburg area where it erupted on May 11.

"There is a real fear that the violence will spread here," said independent researcher Mary de Haas, who has been monitoring violence in KwaZulu-Natal since the 1980s.

Essop Phahad, a senior aide to President Thabo Mbeki, told reporters police, defence and justice departments were discussing whether to send troops to restive areas.