Army deployed to stop Xenophobic attacks

 South Africa  minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Tuesday the  South Africa defence force  will be deployed in Alexandra and parts of KZN to help police curb attacks on foreign nationals.

Speaking at a media briefing, she said the brutal killing of  a Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole  and attacks of two Zimbabweans was an indication that the state had to step in and claim authority. 

She said the police had requested assistance of the military after a Zimbabwean couple and other foreigners was attacked on Monday night.

“We are not coming to take over the work of the police, but we are going in to support the police," said Mapisa-Nqakula.

Mapisa- Nqakula said she was hurt when she saw the pictures of Sithole in the newspaper, adding that the pictures might have been necessary for the country to see the extent of the ongoing violence that is soiling the country’s image.

“There are criminals who are taking advantage of challenges raised by South Africans.

Mapisa-Nqakula was at pains to say that the decision was not taken lightly - saying the democratic government had decided not to deploy the army at every provocation.

“The army will be deployed because there is a crisis,” she said.

Mapisa-Nqakula was joined by State Security Minister David Mahlobo and Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.