South African Violence in Pictures May 19, 2008

A local man throws rocks at South African police in the Reiger Park informal settlement outside Johannesburg Monday May 19, 2008. Mobs rampaged through poor suburbs of Johannesburg in a frenzy of anti-foreigner violence over the weekend, killing at least 12 people, injuring dozens and forcing hundreds to seek refuge at police stations. The attacks capped a week of mounting violence that started in the sprawling township of Alexandra. Angry residents there accused foreigners, many of them Zimbabweans who fled their own country’s economic collapse, of taking scarce jobs and housing. . (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Police arrest a man suspected of inciting violence in a raid on a squatter settlement east of Johannesburg Monday, May 19, 2008 in an attempt to quell anti-foreigner violence which has erupted in and around the city. The foreigners, many of them Zimbabweans who had fled economic collapse and political violence in their homeland, are being driven out of squatter settlements. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

South Africans cheer as they turn over a container belonging to a foreigner as they riot in the Reiger Park informal settlement outside Johannesburg Monday May 19, 2008. Mobs rampaged through poor suburbs of Johannesburg in a frenzy of anti-foreigner violence over the weekend, killing at least 12 people, injuring dozens and forcing hundreds to seek refuge at police stations. The attacks capped a week of mounting violence that started in the sprawling township of Alexandra. Angry residents there accused foreigners, many of them Zimbabweans who fled their own country’s economic collapse, of taking scarce jobs and housing. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

An unidentified man from Malawi lays wounded waiting for medical assistance after being beat up by South Africans in the Reiger Park informal settlement outside Johannesburg Monday May 19, 2008. Mobs rampaged through poor suburbs of Johannesburg in a frenzy of anti-foreigner violence over the weekend, killing at least 12 people, injuring dozens and forcing hundreds to seek refuge at police stations. The attacks capped a week of mounting violence that started in the sprawling township of Alexandra. Angry residents there accused foreigners, many of them Zimbabweans who fled their own country’s economic collapse, of taking scarce jobs and housing. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Police arrest a man suspected of inciting violence during a raid on a squatter settlement east of Johannesburg Monday, May 19, 2008 in an attempt to quell anti-foreigner violence which has erupted in and around the city. The foreigners, many of them Zimbabweans who had fled economic collapse and political violence in their homeland, are being driven out of squatter settlements. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell

At least two people were burned and three others beaten to death by mobs armed with guns and machetes.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to prevent armed thugs from attacking foreigners and looting their property.

Angry rioters accuse foreigners – many of them from neighbouring Zimbabwe – of taking scarce jobs and housing and fuelling the crime.

Anti-foreigner riots in South Africa May 19, 2008

A mob chants at police, unseen, near a squatter settlement east of Johannesburg, 19 May 2008, in an attempt to quell anti-foreigner violence which has erupted in and around the city

A wave of xenophobic attacks spread through South African townships on Monday. At least 22 people have been killed since unrest started last week.

Below is a timeline of the troubles and facts and figures on some of the issues at play.

TIMELINE:

May 11 – A mob attacks a group of immigrants in Alexandra township outside Johannesburg, killing two and injuring 40.

May 15 – Police fire rubber bullets to quell anti-foreigner violence in Diepsloot, another township near Johannesburg, where youths threw stones, set up barricades and looted shops.

May 18 – Violence spreads to other areas, including the Johannesburg city centre. Among the dead are five people killed in the Cleveland area of Johannesburg, local media say. At least one immigrant is burned to death.

May 19 – Two people are killed and dozens of shacks are torched in the Tembisa township near Johannesburg. Police say at least 19 people have been killed since May 16.

ISSUES:

UNEMPLOYMENT – Africa’s biggest economy grew an average of 5 percent for the past four years, but a post-apartheid boom has failed to make a big dent in unemployment, around 23 percent.

IMMIGRATION – The number of immigrants from other African countries has been estimated at up to 5 million with over 3 million from Zimbabwe alone. The total population is nearly 50 million.

POVERTY – Life expectancy at birth is less than 51 years. The latest U.N. Human Development Report ranks South Africa at 121 of 177 countries.

CRIME – South Africa has some of the highest rates of murder and rape in the world. There were 19,202 murders in South Africa in 2006/7, over 52,000 reported rapes and over 80,000 robberies.

Sources: Reuters/South African Police/UNHDP:

Steyn and Co. Blow away India for 76 April 3, 2008

South Africa made short work of India on the first morning of the second test. All it took them was 124 balls to dismiss India for a shameful 76.Anil Kumble won the toss and elected to bat first, Pathan top scored with  21 not out. The pick of the bowlers no doubt was DW Steyn who finished with figures of 5/23 where as M Nitini finished with figures of 3/18, and M Morkel got 2/20.

A detailed report to follow shortly.

E Guinea seeks Thatcher’s arrest March 30, 2008

Equatorial Guinea has issued an arrest warrant for Sir Mark Thatcher over his alleged role in a failed 2004 coup.

The country’s attorney general said that Sir Mark, son of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, had provided money and transport.

In 2005, Sir Mark was given a fine and a suspended sentence in South Africa after pleading guilty to unknowingly helping to finance the plot.

However, he has always denied any direct involvement.

He told the UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper he was not worried by the arrest warrant.

“As far as I’m concerned the issue has already been dealt with,” he was quoted as saying.

“I’ve been charged and tried in a court in South Africa on exactly those charges so I don’t see what more they can do.”

Watch out India, the South African cricket juggernaut is heading your way March 2, 2008

After excellent performances against New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh, South Africa head to the tough away series in India full of confidence. Could this be the year for Graeme Smith’s men?

‘Judging by current form and winning momentum, South Africa will continue their dominance in 2008′

The Tests against Bangladesh have been a perfect staging ground for the Proteas’ assault on India. 

The Proteas 2008 season has been labelled the ‘The New World Order’ as South Africa march through the traditional strongholds of the game. South Africa have easily picked off Pakistan, New Zealand, the West Indians and the Bangladeshis, while building up for the big prize against Australia at the end of the year. 

India and England stand in the way, but judging by current form and winning momentum, South Africa will continue their dominance in 2008. The world record opening stand of 415 by Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie in Chittagong is testament to the massive form the team are in.

Smith has sent a clear message to India, where the Proteas will be hoping to continue their good record against the team coached by Gary Kirsten.

Anil Kumble may believe his team have had good exposure in Australia, but Smith believes they’ve left the backdoor open for the South Africans to sneak in and ‘raid the kitchen’.

South Africa will certainly be giving India their sternest test at home while implementing their strategy to walk away with the spoils.

And with Jacques Kallis counting as two men - strike bowler and the world number one all-rounder, the Proteas have a head start.

Much has been said of Paul Harris not being a Shane Warne, but both Harris and Johan Botha are successful on the sub-continent. Their success adds to the dynamics of a team that isn’t showing any cracks or weaknesses. 

Smith is back in the form that’s made him a truly sublime captain, single-mindedly focusing on ending 2008 as the number one ranked team.

Indians should take heed:The South Africans are coming, and you’re next in line