South Africans defy Zuma to continue xenophobic attacks

South Africans have defied President Jacob Zuma’s call for peace by going on with more Xenophobic attacks on foreign-owned stalls within the country.

In the latest series of attacks on foreign-owned businesses, some South Africans attacked and looted stalls in eastern Johannesburg, forcing more than 200 foreigners taking refuge with the police.

A witness who spoke to BBC said a  group of armed men were dropped off by a mini bus with the motive to attack.

“A group of men were dropped from a minibus. All of them were armed with [knives]. They started chasing people, throwing stones at them, hitting them… what I saw was very, very terrifying,” the witness said.

The violence comes despite rally various condemnation of the act from within and outside the country.

On Thursday, Zuma condemned the violence in the country, referring to it as a violation of south African values.

“No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops,” Zuma told the national assembly.

“We condemn the violence in the strongest possible terms. The attacks violate all the values that South Africa embodies, especially the respect for human life, human rights, human dignity and Ubuntu.

“Our country stands firmly against all intolerance such as racism, xenophobia, homophobia and sexism. We appeal for calm, an end to the violence and restraint.”