The South African army will be deployed to end a wave of attacks on foreigners, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has said. Soldiers would be deployed to Alexandra township, north of the main city Johannesburg, the minister said.

This will be the first troop deployment since the violence broke out early this month, killing at least seven people. Tension has been high in the township since the killing of Mozambican Emmanuel Sithole at the weekend. Many people would “appreciate the decision to bring in the defence force”, Ms Mapisa-Nqakula told journalists.

Troops would not take over the responsibilities of the police but would assist in maintaining order, she added. The South African Ministry of Defence said they would be deployed from 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) in Alexandra township.

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