Xenophobic Violence Spreads in South Africa

"There are no new reports of attacks," said Thabo Masebe, deputy director of communications for the provincial government.

"Our sense is that the situation is under control, but we will continue to monitor the areas and take action when necessary."

This would include watching developments on trains following a warning that commuters could be targeted.

About 25 people have been killed since the violence began in Alexandra last week and spread to informal settlements on the perimeter of Johannesburg.

A South African Press Association staffer in Sebokeng said some shops there had been looted earlier on Wednesday.

Masebe attributed the "calm" to the combination of police intervention and cooperation from the communities wracked by the violence, which saw people being burnt alive and homes and businesses destroyed.

Local media in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province said at least six immigrants were wounded in an overnight attack on a Nigerian-owned tavern in the port city of Durban.

The Zulu-based Inkatha Freedom Party, the ruling ANC's main rival in KwaZulu-Natal, said the Durban attacks showed the anti-foreigner violence had spread to the province — home to South Africa's biggest ethnic group, the Zulus.

"We are ... saddened by reports that such barbaric acts have spread to our province and Durban in particular," it said in a statement.

Police and provincial officials said the attack was not sparked by xenophobia, but it increased fears the violence could spread from the Johannesburg area where it erupted on May 11.

Speaking in Pretoria, African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma also condemned the attacks on foreigners, as Johannesburg metro police warned people to avoid dangerous CBD areas.

Five people were killed and 50 more were injured on Sunday when attacks spread to Cleveland and later to Jeppestown and surrounds, Johannesburg police said.

By Sunday evening, several shops in the CBD had been looted, Mail & Guardian reporters said, with burglar bars pulled down, doors smashed and merchandise stolen. There were also reports of foreigners being attacked as they stepped off trains at Park station.

Hundreds of frightened foreigners fled to the sanctity of the Jeppe police station in central Johannesburg on Sunday morning following a night of deadly xenophobic violence that claimed at least five lives and left about 50 people injured.

Malawian national Mohammed Namgoma (23), who lives in Jeppestown not far from the police station, told the M&G that a mob had arrived at his residence on Saturday, armed with knives and other weapons.

"They broke into the house with stones. The stones were coming through the window. There were burglar bars near the top of the ceiling, so I pulled myself up so the stones would not hit me. I hung there for three hours," he said, showing his blackened hands.

"They didn't hurt me but other people's heads are broken," he said. "They stole my phone, blankets and money and they said the amakwerekwere [foreigners] must go home."