Malawi to evacuate citizens in the wake of xenophobic attacks

In the wake of the xenophobic attacks which have erupted in South Africa, Malawi has said it will repatriate its nationals from the country.

According to BBC, about 420 Malawians are reportedly living in refugee camps in Durban after fleeing the violence and Information Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa has said the first group would return home at the weekend.

Malawi is the only country which has so far decided to repatriate its citizens while Zimbabwe has also condemned the attacks.

Nankhumwa called on the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to intervene to help protect foreigners. He further described the situation as unfortunate especially since it was coming "at a time we are working on regional integration."

No fewer than five foreigners, including a 14-year-old boy, have been killed in attacks in Durban since last week. Some foreign-owned shops in Johannesburg have been shut amid fears that the violence could spread.

About 5,000 foreigners have been left homeless in Durban in the wake of the violence.

Meanwhile, the South African government has ordered police to step up patrols to prevent the violence from escalating, while the governing African National Congress (ANC) said in a statement that South Africans should "hang our heads in shame in the face of these misguided and misplaced assaults".