In a spate of violence against immigrants, more than 12 people were killed in Johannesburg, police said. The immigrant violence started in Alexandria last week. In attacks targeting foreigners, despite pleas for calm and peace, mobs have attacked migrants in several parts of the city. Local police spokesperson noted that overnight violence in the inner city had left over six people dead and more than 50 injured. Police and government officials have said that organized criminals were also taking advantage of the anti-foreigner sentiment and indulging in looting and arson.
With organized gangs of youths breaking into houses, apartments, and shacks, the worst violence erupted after midnight Saturday in Cleveland, police said. Reports about a woman thrown out of a first floor window and a man being set alight have indicated that violence has been extreme. More than 50 people were taken to the hospitals with gunshot and stab wounds. About 500 people sought refuge at the Cleveland police station. Johannesburg police said that over 200 people had been arrested on different charges ranging from rape to robbery.
President Thabo Mbeki announced that a panel had been set up to look into the xenophobic attacks and the South African Red Cross said it launched an appeal to help displaced people. The head of the ruling African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, also condemned the violence and appealed to the people not make S. Africa famous as a xenophobic country. Eric Goemaere, the head of the Medecins Sans Frontieres in South Africa called on the government to declare the Zimbabweans as refugees and give them proper protection. South Africa has the highest crime rate in the world with more than 50 murders a day.
The bulk of immigrants in South Africa in recent years have been from Zimbabwe with about three million people who have fled the economic crisis and inflation to the tune of 165,000 percent. Johannesburg is the economic hub of South Africa and home to thousands of immigrants who have come here in search of opportunity. Local people have blamed them for the increase in crime, unemployment, and price rise.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.