South Africans hold peach march against xenophobia violence

Thousands of South Africans took part in a peace march in Durban on Thursday to demand an end to xenophobia violence in parts of South Africa.

The march was organized to show solidarity with foreigners under attack in the latest spate of violence that swept several townships around Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Many South Africans came from other provinces to join the march.

Participants sang the South African national anthem as they gathered at the Durban City Hall.

As one of the organizers, the International Peace Youth Group said the march was organized to urge young South Africans to unite against xenophobic violence.

Speaking to the crowd, Durban Mayor James Nxumalo said attacking foreigners is not going to solve the country's problems.

Local people involving in xenophobia attacks blame foreigners for taking up local employment, doing illegal business and even committing crimes.

"These (foreigners) are our brothers and sisters. We have the same blood. Blood is thicker than water. Go out into your communities and urge people to stop these attacks," said Nxumalo.

Durban has been a hotspot of xenophobia violence that erupted on March 25. In the violence, five people were killed and dozens of others injured. Hundreds of foreign-owned shops and homes have been looted and thousands of foreigners displaced.

The violence spread to Johannesburg on Wednesday where locals and foreigners clashed, leaving several people injured.

Foreigners under attack are mostly from Somalia, Malawi, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.