South African President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday condemned two weeks of xenophobic violence that has claimed over 50 lives, mostly in the Johannesburg area, as an "absolute disgrace" that could plunge the country back into a "past of violent conflict", DPA reported. "The events of the past two weeks are an absolute disgrace," Mbeki said in his first address to the nation on the crisis, which was carried on national radio and television. "The shameful acts of a few have blemished the name of South Africa," Mbeki said, calling the perpetrators "criminal elements" that did not represent the majority of South Africans. "Never since the birth of our democracy have we witnessed such callousness," he said, warning that "if it takes root it will take us back to a past of violent conflict, which no-one can afford." While acknowledging that residents of poor communities had genuine grievances, including access to jobs and housing, "Nobody will be allowed to pervert those concerns by targeting vulnerable people from other countries," Mbeki said. He rejected calls from opposition parties for the establishment of refugee camps to manage the arrival of migrants from neighbouring countries.
