Hundreds held in connection with violence against immigrants in South Africa

More than 300 people in South Africa have been arrested in connection to violent attacks against immigrants, primarily those from other countries in Africa.

At least six people have been killed over the past two weeks, the BBC reports. "Everything is being done to restore peace and order," Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba said during a news conference. "The government will enforce the laws of the country and will not hesitate to act speedily and decisively." Later, he added that those responsible will be subject to "the full might of the law."

South Africa's unemployment rate is at 24 percent, and armed groups have been targeting businesses owned by African immigrants, saying that they are taking away jobs that should belong to locals. Thousands have left their homes to take refuge in makeshift camps, and countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique are planning to evacuate their own citizens. An estimated 2 million foreign nationals live in South Africa.

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