CAPE TOWN – Government on Tuesday said the deployment of Cabinet Ministers, the initiation of an inter-departmental task team and a 24-hour call centre form part of its approach to deal with attacks on foreign nationals in parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

A total of five people have been killed in violence that has hit areas including KwaMashu and Umlazi over the past two weeks.

Police Minister Nathi Nhleko described the recent attacks on foreign nationals in the province as “Afrophobia”.

“The correct characterisation of the problem will assist us to zoom into a problem that needs to be dealt with.”  

State Security Minister David Mahlobo said the trouble began with a labour dispute which quickly spread to other areas of the province.

Government has now said it would do everything within the law to ensure citizens and foreign nationals irrespective of their status are safe.