Thousands protest against Xenophobic attacks in South Africa

Thousands of people have marched in Johannesburg, South Africa, denouncing the killing of more than 40 African immigrants and the displacement of tens of thousands. The government has been accused of reacting too slowly to the crisis, and for not addressing poverty and unemployment in poor townships.

Earlier this week President Thabo Mbeki called on the army to help quell the violence, the first time soldiers have been deployed on the streets of South Africa since the end of apartheid.

As well as those killed, an estimated 25,000 people have been forced to flee their homes after attacks by South Africans who blame immigrants for crime and unemployment. Zimbabweans appear to have been the target of much of the violence.

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