The xenophobia which fuelled recent attacks on residents in Alexandra and Diepsloot is the same as apartheid racism and is a crime, institutions across South Africa said on Friday.

The Gauteng African National Congress said xenophobia was no different from the racism of apartheid.

"In the same manner that we fought against racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination, we must fight against the hatred of foreign nationals."

The treatment of foreigners in South Africa has been highlighted by a number of xenophobic attacks in Alexandra and Diepsloot this week which left a number of foreigners homeless and stripped of their belongings.

The ANC said its leaders would be addressing public meetings across Gauteng this weekend to try and stop criminals using discrimination, hatred and fear to destabilise communities.

Witwatersrand University vice-chancellor, Professor Loyiso Nongxa, said South Africans' apartheid history should be a warning against xenophobia.

"Our memory of apartheid as an instrument of social exclusion should strongly warn us against all forms of division and exclusion, including the xenophobia that we are presently witnessing," he said.

"We should not take for granted any of the freedoms gained."

Calls on government to act

On Friday, the People Against Suffering Suppression, Oppression and Poverty (Passop) said many immigrants were undocumented or illegal not by choice but because government was not processing refugee applications fast enough.

"The refugees should not be punished for governmental shortcomings," said the organisation.

On Friday, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) said it was concerned that victims of the attacks continued to be arrested and detained by members of the police.

During attacks at Olifantsfontein on the East Rand, 32 foreign nationals were attacked, robbed of their belongings and told to leave South Africa by their attackers.

The police in response to these attacks proceeded to arrest these victims as they were unable to produce any documentation as to their lawful status in South Africa.

The people had since been transported to Lindela where they are being detained pending deportations.

LHR said the victims of attacks were being deprived of their right to lay complaints and criminal charges.

"Surely criminals must not be encouraged to attack foreign nationals because they know that they will most likely be deported before they are able to act at witness in a trial."

Ubuntu

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies said on Friday that South Africans should treat foreigners with ubuntu.

"As a people who have been the target of hate crimes, genocide and prejudice for centuries, the Jewish community appeals to all citizens of South Africa to treat the strangers in our land in the great spirit of 'ubuntu'," said Owen Futeran, the chairperson of the Cape Town council of the board.

The Commission on Gender Equality said it was very concerned about attacks focused on women, children and the elderly. It said it would monitor the assaults and particularly rape cases.

On Friday, the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Gauteng on Friday urged the police to arrest all criminals hiding behind xenophobia.

"They belong behind bars and sooner they go, the better," said spokesperson Lucas Qakazahe.

Sapa