The violent attacks on foreigners which started in Alexandra this week had by Saturday spread to Diepsloot, Thokoza and Tembisa.

Around 300 foreigners had flocked to the Thokoza community hall on Saturday, seeking safety after attacks similar to those in Alexandra broke out in the East Rand township.

Freedom Ngubeni from the SA Red Cross Society, who spent the week tending to foreigners in Alexandra and was now assisting in Thokoza, said some of those who had sought the safety of the hall were injured and being tendered to by Doctors Without Borders.

She said the society would provide food and shelter for those displaced.

Seven people were arrested for public violence in Thokoza according to police spokesperson Captain Mega Ndobe.

Ndobe said two shacks had been burnt down and a number of people had been injured. At least fifty foreigners had sought refuge at Thokoza Police Station.

Ndobe said the situation was calm by Saturday evening but police would remain in the area to ensure that it remained that way.

In Tembisa, one man was shot and killed and two others were injured also in xenophobic attacks.

Spokesperson Captain Manyadza Ralidhivha said scores of Tembisa residents went on a rampage destroying property that belong to foreign nationals in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Ralidhivha said at least 15 shacks had been burnt down in Kanana, Tembisa. Ralidhivha, heard shouting orders on Saturday afternoon, said he was deploying more police officers on that afternoon, to areas where he had received reports of disturbances.

He said foreigners were still " trickling into" Rabie Ridge police station in Tembisa, to seek protection.

Diepsloot, which has been marred by xenophobic attacks, was quiet on Saturday evening, however, police maintained a heavy presence in the area, said police spokesperson Captain Louise Reed.

Meanwhile the Chairman of the community policing forum Samuel Seale said foreigners continued to flee from Diepsloot on Friday night as residents took to the streets and burnt their (foreigners) household goods and clothes.

Concern over "copy cat" attacks

Seale however said the situation this morning appeared calm but feared tensions would rise when people return from taverns in the afternoon.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) had on Saturday expressed concern about the "copy cat" style of attacks happening in the province.

Chairman Jody Kollapen said there was an urgent need for government, non governmental organisations, churches and local communities to meet and come up with interventions to curb the xenophobia.

"We need other interventions to deal with the xenophobia apart from the public condemnations," he said.

Kollapen said it was worrying that those behind the attacks had succeeded in instilling fear in foreigners who would in the long run not testify against the perpetrators.

Emergency appeal for R1-million

"The main witnesses are now on the run and some may decide to return to their countries, so prosecution will prove to be difficult," he said.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross had launched an emergency appeal for R1-million in support of the victims of the attacks.

Spokesperson Mbuso Mthembu said the emergency fund would help with the living conditions of those affected .

Mthembu said the fund would also be used to launch an anti-discrimination campaign to promote peace and unity.

He said the Red Cross had so far distributed 400 blankets, boxes of clothing, food parcels and hygiene packs but more aid was needed.

He said companies and individuals who want to donate could call the Provincial Manager on 082 343 2621.

The bank details for the fund are Standard Bank, Account number: 071760563, Branch: Constantia, Code: 005309

Sapa