JOHANNESBURG, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The South African government on Tuesday strongly condemned the anti-immigration violence that erupted over the weekend in the Western Cape Province.
According to police, 55 shacks were set alight in the Asla Park informal settlement in Mossel Bay, while two Mozambican nationals were killed during the unrest.
The violence followed a wave of marches in various parts of South Africa calling for foreign nationals to leave the country.
"Government calls on members of the public to address all concerns relating to crime and undocumented migration through lawful processes, and not through violence, intimidation or attacks on individuals based on nationality, ethnicity, language or cultural identity," a government statement said.
Officials also urged the public to work closely with law enforcement agencies in investigating the crimes.
The situation remains tense as anti-immigration vigilante groups have issued demands for foreign nationals to leave the country by June 30.
Amid the growing pressure, foreign-owned shops have been looted in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Free State provinces.
Police confirmed the arrest of five suspects in connection with the violence.
Two suspects appeared in court on Monday on charges of public violence and were granted bail of 1,000 rand (about 59 U.S. dollars) each. The remaining three were scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday on charges of possessing suspected stolen property.
Welcoming the arrests, the government encouraged citizens to gather information from credible and verified sources and refrain from spreading unverified content that could spark panic or misinformation. ■