S Africa arrests 1,600 illegal immigrants

More than 3,900 people - including 1,650 illegal immigrants - have been arrested in South Africa during a controversial police crackdown after April’s deadly xenophobic violence, authorities said on Sunday.

“We are satisfied that we have stabilised the situation and further loss of life has been prevented,” a government statement said. “Security agencies continue to work around the clock to protect both foreign nationals and South African citizens against any attacks.” The crackdown came after at least seven people were killed as mobs hunted down migrant workers from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other African countries, forcing hundreds of terrified families to abandon their homes.

Rampant unemployment and poverty are seen as an underlying cause of the violence by South Africans who accused migrants of stealing their jobs.