Lethal Force in SA Army Confrontation

"We unfortunately had an incident where a member of the public was shot when he pointed a firearm at a soldier. He was shot dead," said army spokesperson General Kwena Mangope, adding that the death occurred on Friday evening.

Soldiers were sent on to Johannesburg's streets on Thursday for the first time since the end of white rule in 1994 in a bid to help stem a tide of violence that has seen mobs of armed youths attack foreigners.

South Africa's government admitted on Friday it was aware of the potential of anti-immigrant sentiment to explode into violence amid criticism it failed to take measures to prevent it.

"Of course we were aware there was something brewing. It is one thing to know there is a social problem and another thing to know when that outburst will occur," Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils told the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

Kasrils, who admitted on Thursday that the government had been taken by surprise by the attacks, said the "unpardonable acts" were being conducted by opportunistic elements trying to exploit and manipulate local grievances.