South African police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on Thursday to disperse anti-immigrant protesters in Johannesburg, as the country’s president called for a halt to a wave of violence.
About 200 protesters, shouting that they wanted immigrants to leave, had pelted passing vehicles and police with rocks. At least four people have been killed in the unrest that started two weeks ago in Durban.
Violence flared days after Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini reportedly said foreigners should leave South Africa. He has since said his comments were misinterpreted.
The Chinese foreign ministry said some shops were damaged in Johannesburg. President Jacob Zuma called it a "violation" of South Africa's values.
“No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops,” he said. –(Reuters)