World | Thabo Mbeki S. Africa Deploys Troops as Immigrant Killings Spike Anti-foreigner attacks spread across South Africa By Matt Cantor Posted May 22, 2008 6:48 AM CDT Copied South Africans burn the belongings of foreigners who fled before taking over their plot in Reiger Park informal settlement outside Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) South African president Thabo Mbeki has summoned troops to help counter a wave of anti-immigrant violence in the country, AFP reports. Mbeki called on soldiers after police requested help quelling mob violence that has claimed 42 lives, officials said. As many as 16,000 people have been displaced by the violence. Locals blame foreigners for high crime rates and taking jobs Read These Next President mixes in a coal joke in Christmas Eve call with kids. Two hospitalized after ICE shooting near Baltimore. After Kennedy Center name change, holiday jazz concert is canceled. Trump includes 'scum' in Christmas wishes. Report an error