Immigrants Flee South Africa Amid Attacks by Mobs on Foreign-Owned Shops

Hundreds of African immigrants headed out of South Africa in buses on Monday following deadly attacks on foreign-owned shops.

At least seven people have been killed this month in anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa that have angered many countries in the African continent.

On Tuesday, South Africa's defense minister said he has ordered the deployment of troops to help the police in curbing the attacks against immigrants.

South African Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula made the announcement just as mobs attacked and looted the shops of immigrants in Johannesburg's Alexandra Township. The mob action was spurred by their belief that foreigners are taking away South Africans' jobs.

The outbreak of violence in South Africa against immigrants came as a shock to many people who have not seen such violence in a country that is one of the biggest economies on the continent and an erstwhile ideal destination for people seeking opportunity and escape from turmoil in other parts of Africa. South Africa has been dubbed as the "rainbow nation" for its relatively peaceful transition to democracy after the end of white racist rule in 1994.

In Malawi, the government said six buses carrying 390 Malawians from Durban were heading to Malawi and five more buses carrying Malawians were expected to leave the city on Tuesday.

Those killed in anti-immigrant unrest included two Malawians, the Malawi government statement said.

Much of the violence happened in the port city of Durban, where at least two foreigners and three South Africans were killed after machete-wielding mobs attacked immigrant shops. Thousands of people took temporary shelter at refugee centers or police stations as a result, sources said.

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Malawi condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and urged Malawi migrants to come home.

In a statement, the Commission urged Malawi residents in South Africa to come home because of the attacks.

"Your brothers and sisters in Malawi care for your security. Come back home for your life is precious no matter how poor you are," a Commission statement said.

It added, "After all, there is more that can be done in Malawi. As your coming back home, please do not hold any anger and spirit of vengeance to any South Africans or any of their property. Retribution and vengeance are not a solution. Only love will heal our wounds and bring about justice and peace."